Music Reviews – Rock Formats Music Meeting (6.27.97)

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By: Michael D. Vogel

© June 27, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved. 

Published in:       

The Album Network magazine – June 27, 1997

Boston

Song: “Higher Power”

From The Release: Greatest Hits 

Label: Epic 

Members: Tom Scholz – Guitar, Bass, Drums & Vocals; Brad Delp – Vocals; Fran Cosmo – Backing Vocals; Curly Smith – Harmonica

Producer: Tom Scholz

Origin: Boston, MA

Website: www.bandboston.com

What You Should Know: The formula to be one of Rock Radio’s most prolific acts would be a balance between heavy guitars, solid bass and a pulsating drum track that would knock you out of your chair. Boston plays the kind of loud, lean unpretentious guitar rock that’s best heard in a large arena, probably one where the beer is good and cheap. On their new Greatest Hits package are all the favorites, along with the new studio cut, “Higher Power,” which flirts with a murky and experimental ambiance. The CD-Pro features three different versions, including a John Kalodner mix that should light up your phones. If that doesn’t fill your appetite, check them out at an arena near you this summer! For references, call the programmers at KYYS/Kansas City, KS., WFBQ, Indianapolis, IN, or KCAL/Riverside, CA.  ^m^

Rush

Song: “Virtuality”

From The Release: Test For Echo 

Label: Anthem/Atlantic/AG 

Members: Geddy Lee – Vocals, Bass & Synthesizers; Alex Lifeson – Guitar & Mandola; Neil Peart – Drums, Cymbals & Hammer Dulcimer          

Producer: Peter Collins & Rush

Origin: Toronto, Canada

Website: www.rush.com

What You Should Know: In the beginning, there was rhythm, a primordial ooze that emanated from the earth itself – and judging by Rush’s determinedly organic excursions, the Canadian trio has gotten back to that ooze. “Virtuality” finds the group intent on denuding itself of any extraneous frills in order to let the basic sounds of the guitar, bass and percussions do the talking. Rolling with a locomotive zing over a rugged guitar, Geddy Lee truly gets busy. Firing off beguiling lyrics that also reveal sadness and regret. Play this one loud, but be warned: the steady stream of imaginative lines requires constant use of the rewind button. Early before-the-box believers on “Virtuality,” the fourth single from Test For Echo, include KSJO/San Jose, CA. and KEGL/Dallas, TX! ^m^

Slaughter

Song: “American Pie”

From The Release: Revolution 

Label: CMC International 

Members: Mark Slaughter – Vocals, Guitar & Keys; Tim Kelly – Guitar & Vocals;  Dana Strum – Bass & Vocals; Blas Elias – Drums, Percussion & Vocals

Producer: Dana Strum & Mark Slaughter

Origin: Las Vegas, NV.

Website: www.slaughterweb.com

What You Should Know: The longtime darlings of early 90’s power rock are as prolific as ever. “American Pie” is a deliberate throwback to a more primal flower-power rock sound that should be welcome at Rock Radio in the age of alternative wannabes. Using T. Rex as a reference, the guitars are gritty and greasy with raw production elements and energy levels that keep this track crackling long after the song has ended. Slaughter is still able to serve up tasty, easily digestible hooks, smartly wistful lyrics and keening harmonies that put the group into an almost dreamy and atmospheric state. Combining modern production with lyrical techno-shenanigans, help to turn melodies from chastely pretty to quirky and vibrant ear candy. Go ahead, band-a-gong, and get it on (the radio)! ^m^

Pat Benatar

Song: “Strawberry Wine (Life Is Sweet)”

From The Release: Innamorta

Label: CMC International 

Members: Pat Benatar – Vocals; Neil Giraldo – Guitar; Mick Mahan – Bass; Ray Brinker – Drums; Allison Cornell – Keys

Producer: Neil Giraldo

Origin: Los Angeles, CA. via Long Island, NY.

Website: www.benatar.com

What You Should Know: Long before Melissa Etheridge and Alanis Morissette, radio rocked to the sounds of Pat Benatar. The latest CD in a career that’s thrived since her humble beginnings at New York City’s “Catch A Rising Star”, Innamorta reflects the high standards of Benatar and her guitarist/producer/husband Neil Giraldo. For “Strawberry Wine (Life Is Sweet),” the mixing of emotions and moods into a radio elixir are first rate. Such creative arrangements are an outstanding testimony to her longevity at radio. Fresh off the success of tours with other rock notables Steve Miller and REO Speedwagon, Benatar is poised to expose her sultry style and commanding vocals to a whole new generation of post-pop/alternative grungers! ^m^

Glenn Tipton

Song: “Extinct”

From The Release: Baptizm Of Fire

Label: Atlantic/AG 

Members: Glenn Tipton – Vocals & Guitar

Guest Musicians: Billy Sheehan – Bass; Cozy Powell – Drums

Producer: Glenn Tipton & Mark Dodson

Origin: Birmingham, England

Website: www.glenntipton.co.uk

What You Should Know: Longtime Judas Priest member Glenn Tipton has an articulacy on the guitar, a diction only he possesses. You need not be familiar with the song to be able to crank up the volume and rock along on the first listen. This is why, although Tipton is a hard rock guitarist’s guitarist, he’s also a popular player who’s appreciated by musicians and non-musicians alike. But like all rock guitarists, he’s dependant on his material. Using speed and outrageous chops to astound, Tipton plays the silence as much as the music. It’s because of that, the slightest bends and vocal articulations are easily heard and understood. Nobody delivers the sound and raw emotion on the electric guitar like this guy! With sedentary layers that take time to reveal themselves (in rock terms: texture and deep grooves). Glenn Tipton showcases why he’s a thinking man’s player. And you thought loud, screaming guitars where “Extinct.” In the immortal words of Spinal Tap – “this one goes to 11!”  ^m^

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Song: “Bring It On”

From The Release: Twenty

Label: CMC International 

Members: Johnny Van Zant – Vocals; Gary Rossington – Guitar; Rickey Medlocke – Guitar; Hughe Thomasson – Guitar; Leon Wilkeson – Bass; Owen Hale – Drums & Percussions; Billy Powell – Keys; Dale Krantz Rossington – Backing Vocals

Producer: Josh Leo

Origin: Jacksonville, FL

Website: www.lynyrdskynyrd.com

What You Should Know: In an era where arty noisiness has ruled the airwaves, it’s refreshing to hear a record whose strengths lie in its simplicity. Lynyrd Skynyrd plays rock & roll – period! This isn’t to say that the music doesn’t have different layers of subtle, original musicianship. A vague, hypnotic malevolence, lurking behind a tightly constructed rockin’ tune, is the central theme for this song. With a hint of Southern-country guitar twang excursions and a moody keyboard into a jaunty, jangly, rockin’ beat, Skynyrd creates a psychedelic, wildly swirling riff that lightens into a pretty harmony. Plain and simple – it’s a down-home-brewed, stompin’ tune that rushes toward its conclusion like a barely-in-control muscle car.  ^m^

© June 27, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.

Music Reviews – Rock Formats Music Meeting (6.20.97)

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By: Michael D. Vogel

© June 20, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  

Published in: 

The Album Network magazine – June 20, 1997

Mötley Crüe 

Album: Generation Swine

Suggested Tracks: “Find Myself”; “Flush”; “Generation Swine”; “Let Us Prey”; “Rocketship”; “Glitter”; “Beauty”; “A Rat Like Me” & “Shout At The Devil ‘97”

Label: Mötley/Elektra/EEG 

Members: Vince Neil – Vocals; Mick Mars – Guitar; Nikki Sixx – Bass & Vocals; Tommy Lee – Drums & Vocals

Producer: Scott Humphrey, Nikki Sixx & Tommy Lee

Origin: Hollywood, CA

Website: www.motley.com

What You Should Know: Vibrant, powerful performances marked Mötley Crüe as one of the premiere hard rock bands of the 80’s and early 90’s. Their future at the dawn of the 90’s seemed veritably sealed with success. The, music as they knew it – melodic, up-tempo and somewhat experimental hard rock – was sucked into the vortex we now know as Alternative.  Mötley Crüe, however, has stuck to their guns, releasing the music that is their trademark. Their latest, Generation Swine, is no exception, illuminated by a propensity for wild fretwork, pulsating drums and unbridled lung work.

These 13 tracks run the gamut, stylistically speaking. As an indication of the band’s current attitude, Generation Swine opts for sarcasm and wit over angst and derision, both musically and lyrically. With Vince Neil rejoining the group after a five-year hiatus, the vocal delivery that the Crüe has been known for – raw and powerful – adheres to the melodic contours of each track like a surfer carving up a six-foot wave. The arrangements – by turns delicate and hard, spicy and intense – shuttle past every genre in modern rock: psychedella, hard and progressive rock. So is the Crüe back? By all indications, with over 160 rock stations and 2,500+ spins per week – the answer would be a big “SoooWeee”! (That means yes.) ^m^

Scorpions 

Song: “Over The Top”

From The Release: Deadly Sting: The Mercury Years

Label: Chronicles/Mercury 

Members: Klaus Meine – Vocals; Rudolf Schenker – Guitar & Vocals; Ralph Reckermann – Bass; Matthias Jabs – Guitar

Producer: Scorpions

Origin: Hanover, Germany

Website: www.the-scorpions.com

What You Should Know: Scorpions are one of the very few bands to have survived the middle-of-the-road metal of the 80’s. Blending hard, precise, right-between-the-eyes rock with heavy grooves that recall standard metal riffage, Scorpions use big guitars and drums, tipping their hats to the early days without compromising any of the flair of today’s hardedge rock. As a brand-new track on the forth-coming “Best Of” package chronicling their recordings for Mercury Records, this song should take every hard rock enthusiast and die-hard Scorpions fanatic “Over The Top” to unbridled staged of pure rock ecstasy! ^m^

© June 20, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.

Music Reviews – Rock Formats Music Meeting (6.13.97)

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By: Michael D. Vogel

© June 13, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  

Published in:  

The Album Network magazine – June 13, 1997 

Paul Rodgers 

Song: “Soul Of Love”

From The Release: Now

Label: Eaglerock/Velvel 

Members: Paul Rodgers – Vocals; Geoff Whitehorn – Guitar; Jaz Lochrie – Bass; Jimmy Copley – Drums

Producer: Paul Rodgers & Eddie Kramer

Origin: London via Middlesborough, England

Website: www.paulrodgers.com

What You Should Know: Because beat and melody are more primal than language, the fusion of rock and blues is often capable of communicating deeper truths far better than most articulate philosophical musings. And if the lyrics accompanying the tune manage to capture an emotional essence, so much the better. Paul Rodgers may be packaged in a slightly more sophisticated fashion, as one of the most prolific singer/songwriters in rock history (remember The Firm, Bad Company, The Law and Free), but these same qualities fuel the consistent beauty of his first solo album of new, original material in nearly 11 years. Following on the heels of the critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated Muddy Waters Blues, Rodgers picks up exactly where he left off, combining warm, blues-rock vocals with introspective lyrics and edgy guitars to make “Soul Of Love” a blistering song that should attain a sort of immortality for those who love passionate and soulful rock & roll. KLOS/Los Angeles, CA. and KQRS/Minneapolis, MN. Lead the pack on this one. ^m^

INXS 

Song: “Don’t Lose Your Head”

From The Release: Elegantly Wasted 

Label: Mercury 

Members: Michael Hurchence – Vocals; Tim Farriss –Guitar; Andrew Farriss – Keys & Guitar; Kirk Pengilly – Guitar & Sax; Gary Gary Beers – Bass; John Farriss – Drums                          

Producer: Bruce Fairbairn with Andrew Farriss

Origin: Sidney, Australia, though London England is home now

Website: www.inxs.com

What You Should Know: For INXS, craftsmanship is everything. After much success with the title track (a Top 25 song at Rock Radio), INXS is set to release the second track from Elegantly Wasted, their 10^th album and first release for Mercury. “Don’t Lose Your Head” is a marvelous combination of crystalline rhythms – a modern rock listener’s musical utopia. INXS takes you on an ecstatic journey through romance, doubt, rejection, anger and ultimately redemption. The mix of winsome loneliness of soft keyboards into catchy guitar riffs and a strong backbeat will surely inspire even the most vehement “alternative/new” music fanatic. From The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins, great pop bands have always packed a visceral wallop and INXS is no exception. ^m^

Sexpod

Song: “Goddess Blues”

From The Release: Goddess Blues

Label: Slab/CMC International

Members: Karyn Kuhl – Guitar; Alice Genese – Bass; Tia Sprocket – Drums

Producer: Fred Maher

Origin: New York City, NY

What You Should Know: These days, it is entirely possible to get away with a totally derivative sound if you can wrote killer songs – enter Sexpod. As stated in their press release, the ladies from the big apple are “the ultimate female power trio.” This is evident by their countless dedication to the road. With tracks on ESPN Presents: X-Games Volume 1 and the Escape From LA soundtrack, plus their participation in the Van’s Warped Tour, South By Southwest, F MusicFest and the Home Alive Benefit. Sexpod has already introduced many to their trance inducing, hypnotic boogie. The rhythms that bassist Alice Genese and drummer Tia Sprocket lay out, combined with Karyn Kuhl’s cool Jimi Hendrix-style of guitar playing, show that this is no mere chick band. But make no mistake about it; Sexpod is no blues band either!  ““Goddess Blues” is an edgy and compelling song with clean and powerful guitar hooks that should blow out the doors of any concert venue. ^m^

© June 13, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.

Music Reviews – Rock Formats Music Meeting (6.6.97)

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 By: Michael D. Vogel

© June 6, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  

Published in:

The Album Network magazine – June 6, 1997

Queensrÿche

Song: “You”

From The Release: Hear In The Now Frontier 

Label: EMI 

Members: Geoff Tate – Vocals; Chris DeGarmo – Guitar; Vocals & Keys; Michael Wilton – Guitar; Eddie Jackson – Bass; Scott Rockenfield – Drums

Producer: Peter Collins

Origin: Seattle, WA.

Website: www.queensryche.com

What You Should Know: Has the summer heat already got you down? Are you looking for something to wet your hard-rock appetite? Then Queensrÿche wants you! The dark allure of Queensrÿche’s Hear In The Now Frontier relies as much on razor-sharp musicianship and a gripping combination of melodicism and devastating rhythms as it does on the elusive moodiness that suffused it. The second single from the soon-to-be Gold record resonates with these same forces, only agitated into a heavier, even more ferocious mix that’s full of intriguing twists and turns. If the success that “Sign Of The Times” saw is any indication (a Top 5 record at Rock, Active Rock and Aggro Radio), this track should be smokin’ all summer long! ^m^

© June 6, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.

Music Reviews – Rock Formats Music Meeting (5.31.97) 

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By: Michael D. Vogel 

© May 31, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  

Published in:  

The Album Network magazine – May 31, 1997 

Sammy Hagar  

Album: Marching To Mars  

Suggested Tracks: “Little White Lie”; “Amnesty Is Granted”; “Marching To Mars”; “On The Other Hand”; “Both Sides Now”; “Yogi’s So High”; “Salvation On Sand Hill” and “Leaving The Warmth Of The Womb” 

Label: The Track Factory/MCA  

Members: Sammy Hagar – Vocals, Guitar & Bass 

Guest Musicians: Slash, Ronnie Montrose & Roy Rogers – Guitar; Huey Lewis – Harmonica; Bootsy Collins – Bass; Mickey Hart & Giovanni Hildalgo – Percussions; Jesse Harms – Keys 

Producer: Mike Clink 

Origin: Monterey, CA, but Hagar now lives just outside of San Francisco, CA. 

Website: www.redrocker.com 

What You Should Know: With “Little White Lie” sitting comfortably at the top the Powercuts Chart, here’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Hagar’s album.  Marching To Mars is a veritable how-to of rock, style, groove, feel and attitude. The influential reference points span almost 11 years. Equal doses of past reflections combined with soul searching and a look to the future compliment each other to great effect. Blending solid guitar jams with high power and a rhythm section that can take what it dishes out, this album really rocks! In simple terms, party music has been revived and given a healthy jump-start! The mix is lean, clean and very modern, with upfront vocals. This is everyman’s rock album, with a lot of cool influences and styles whipped together for an awesome 200 mph, 120-decibel head-butt! ^m^

© May 31, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.  This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.