In Search Of The PERFECT Album - 2021 - Classic Rock Bottom2024-03-29T10:50:50Zhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/forum/topics/in-search-of-the-perfect-album-2021?commentId=6060463%3AComment%3A234246&feed=yes&xn_auth=no2. IRON MAIDEN – SenjutsuWit…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-09-06:6060463:Comment:2363422021-09-06T02:21:19.614ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>2. IRON MAIDEN – Senjutsu</strong></em></span><br></br>With studio absence lasting for almost six years, you knew the Brits will come back with something truly special. But little did you expect a Samurai themed album and a music video where 4 leprosy-ridden, bike-riders-of-the-apocalypse head towards an American…</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>2. IRON MAIDEN – Senjutsu</strong></em></span><br/>With studio absence lasting for almost six years, you knew the Brits will come back with something truly special. But little did you expect a Samurai themed album and a music video where 4 leprosy-ridden, bike-riders-of-the-apocalypse head towards an American pyramid where brainless fans are manipulated by an Evil-DJ-Clown with quintuple arms in order to feed the youth-sucking, long-haired ruler who later turns out to be a quadruple horned, purple goat. Now, did you!? And if you saw all that coming, then probably the Adam feeding Eva with an apple is just as up your allegory-alley as the rest was. Me? I mixed up my hearing aids with wireless earbuds and had some quite average Heavy Metal band playing on the Mp3 player throughout the whole time. Oh, wait. No, I didn't. This is... Iron Maiden. Or at least what's left of them. Shame. One thing I'll admit though: it's better than Book Of Souls by a single hair sliced in half with a katana.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>6 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>1. THE TRIP – Caronte 50 Years Later</strong></em></span><br/>It's not unheard of artists to cross borders in order to be closer to the epicenter of the music they play. What might seem unusual to ignorants is the fact that a British Beat band could relocate to Italy to pursue a career. Of course, the novice of music history never heard of the best-kept secret, how the Italian Progressive Rock scene was second to none in the '70s. It's worth to be noted that young Ritchie Blackmore (before Deep Purple) was part of this band. The Trip's second album "Caronte" from 1971, although not widely known, earned them a cult status among the fans of this complex genre, worldwide. For its 50th anniversary, the album was re-recorded to utilize better studio equipment without sacrificing its ferocity and quality.<br/>My streaming experience <strong>7 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9537615489?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p> 1. STEVE HOWE – Homebrew 7If…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-08-01:6060463:Comment:2362162021-08-01T17:51:42.702ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>1. STEVE HOWE – Homebrew 7</em></strong></span><br></br>If you are familiar with Steve Howe's Homebrew series then you know what to expect from the 7th album in the row. If you are new to them, they are recordings from the Yes, GTR, Asia guitarists vault. The one-piece oddity is that this time these songs have…</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>1. STEVE HOWE – Homebrew 7</em></strong></span><br/>If you are familiar with Steve Howe's Homebrew series then you know what to expect from the 7th album in the row. If you are new to them, they are recordings from the Yes, GTR, Asia guitarists vault. The one-piece oddity is that this time these songs have never been released before in any form. They are mostly short Instrumentals, where the guitar is in the center (more than I like it to be) with his son adding drums to the background, which does not blend well, to these ears. The album also has 4 vocal tracks among its offerings, of which one is from the GTR era and supported by Phil Spalding on bass.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>5</strong> out of <strong>10</strong></p> Even my subsequent listenings…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-07-01:6060463:Comment:2351912021-07-01T20:36:31.410ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
<p>Even my subsequent listenings tell me you are making a wise deceision.</p>
<p>Even my subsequent listenings tell me you are making a wise deceision.</p> I hadn't planned on buying th…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-07-01:6060463:Comment:2354152021-07-01T11:25:07.270ZTageRychehttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/TageRyche
<p>I hadn't planned on buying the Dennis DeYoung album anyway but your take sure helps keep that plan intact.</p>
<p>I really haven't bought anything from Styx other than a couple cassettes for my series. I haven't really been planning on buying the new album but I may have to take a listen to whatever songs they've released on Youtube to see if I might change my mind.</p>
<p>I hadn't planned on buying the Dennis DeYoung album anyway but your take sure helps keep that plan intact.</p>
<p>I really haven't bought anything from Styx other than a couple cassettes for my series. I haven't really been planning on buying the new album but I may have to take a listen to whatever songs they've released on Youtube to see if I might change my mind.</p> 2. DENNIS DeYOUNG – 26 East,…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-07-01:6060463:Comment:2354142021-07-01T02:02:30.502ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>2. DENNIS DeYOUNG – 26 East, Vol. 2</em></strong></span><br></br>Once a member of The BEATLES... Oops, scratch that... I meant STYX... DeYoung released what suppose to be his very last recordings... ever... in the style of the Liverpudlians??? Yeah, then I saw the back insert of this release and everything become…</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>2. DENNIS DeYOUNG – 26 East, Vol. 2</em></strong></span><br/>Once a member of The BEATLES... Oops, scratch that... I meant STYX... DeYoung released what suppose to be his very last recordings... ever... in the style of the Liverpudlians??? Yeah, then I saw the back insert of this release and everything become much clearer. Dream on buddy. Not that he was required to follow the sound of his former band, I still think the expectations, understandably, were geared towards that sentiment. Well, I'll try to <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">look</span> listen to it through my Pop music equalizers. I could say something like: " All that was worth in this "split the album in two, for a maximum money grab" scheme, came from Vol.1, but let's just say what's really on my mind... Meh.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>4 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>1. STYX – Crash Of The Crown</em></strong></span><br/>The album is not one escalating ride, with its dips and soars your excitement will fluctuate, but in the end, you will feel like Styx made two steps forward and one back. Yet, these opposite directions do not come across as clashes of the current, rather as a homogeneous unity of elements brought back from the past, such as glorious harmony vocals, with new principles of exciting keyboard parts, and fresh arrangements to round up your listening pleasure.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>6.5 out of 10</strong></p> I really wanted to like the a…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-06-05:6060463:Comment:2351662021-06-05T02:52:12.248ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
<p>I really wanted to like the album. He is an awesome vocalist, and still sings well, however... you know... Del Vecchio... eh.</p>
<p>I really wanted to like the album. He is an awesome vocalist, and still sings well, however... you know... Del Vecchio... eh.</p> Ahhh...we so disagree about t…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-06-05:6060463:Comment:2353122021-06-05T00:27:35.859ZTageRychehttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/TageRyche
<p>Ahhh...we so disagree about the Robin McAuley album.</p>
<p>Ahhh...we so disagree about the Robin McAuley album.</p> 3. ROBIN McAULEY – Standing O…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-06-04:6060463:Comment:2353082021-06-04T15:05:10.715ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9034268293?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9034268293?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <br></br>3. ROBIN McAULEY – Standing On The Edge</strong></em></span><br></br>The first two tracks rushed back the memories of the McAuley Schenker Group, although not as guitar-driven and majestic as the sound of the good old days but the intention was unmistakable. Unfortunately, the next 3 tracks mellowed down with…</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9034268293?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9034268293?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>3. ROBIN McAULEY – Standing On The Edge</strong></em></span><br/>The first two tracks rushed back the memories of the McAuley Schenker Group, although not as guitar-driven and majestic as the sound of the good old days but the intention was unmistakable. Unfortunately, the next 3 tracks mellowed down with unimpressive Ballads. These are followed by another uptempo, and the momentum is killed once again with few Power Ballad wannabees. The album closes strong with a dual of rocking tunes, but at this point, it's too little too late. File this under another project by Serafino Perugino, produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio album.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>4.5 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>2. OSSIAN – A Teljesség</strong> (The Completeness)</em></span><br/>Ossian is one of the HUngarian Heavy Metal pioneers. Although, you wouldn't know that from this album. For the last 3-4 studio releases they have been gravitating towards AOR, and this album is nothing but. Not bad, they certainly got the melodic parts down to the tee, however, I feel that Endre Paksi's vocals complete (pun intended) the faster, and heavier tracks with fewer gaps to desire. The band always treats its fans with one or two Instrumentals. I'm glad to hear this tradition continues, since "Enged El" (Let It Go) is the highlight of the album.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>6 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>1. KAYAK – Out Of This World</strong></em></span><br/>Much more familiar with the name Kayak than with their catalog. I'm hard-pressed to remember even a single song this Dutch Symphonic band released, but I can't. Strange, since they've been releasing albums since 1973, so they definitely check the box for the Legend status. 18 albums in, and I'm giving the band's first full listen. It's very commercial. Easy to digest. The songs are moderately complex, yet accessible. The 15 tracks are progressing with ease. Makes me wonder what did I miss?<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>9 out of 10</strong></p> 4. PETER FRAMPTON BAND – Fra…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-05-02:6060463:Comment:2349542021-05-02T21:25:17.340ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>4. PETER FRAMPTON BAND – Frampton Forgets The Words</em></strong></span><br></br>The only Frampton music I owned was the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Soundtrack double album, so you can say I'm not familiar with his work, but when I heard he is releasing an Instrumental album, I had to check it out.…</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>4. PETER FRAMPTON BAND – Frampton Forgets The Words</em></strong></span><br/>The only Frampton music I owned was the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Soundtrack double album, so you can say I'm not familiar with his work, but when I heard he is releasing an Instrumental album, I had to check it out. Not bad, however, 2 things prevented me to truly enjoy it. First, it's all covers. Granted, I only heard half of the originals, which meant the rest came across as new but then comes the second hindrance; they are all low-key, dragging tunes completely out of my wheelhouse. I'm much more impressed with the title and the cover of the album than its content. The title is funny, and the cover image is well... witty.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>5 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>3. CHEAP TRICK – In Another World</strong></em></span><br/>Full disclosure: I was never a big fan of the band. Sure, I have a 4 Disc Set to fill my hat with every cheap trick imaginable... plus the Heavy Metal Soundtrack with their two best tracks ever, but I never felt a need to expand beyond those tricks. That being said, I do check out their new releases, and while the last few burst with energy, they did come across as a desperate cry to be seen as "not old yet". IAW has less power than its predecessor, and the Pop orientation does yield a somewhat more pleasant listening experience, yet still fails to turn me into a fan.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>5.5 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>2. CACTUS – Tightrope</em></strong></span><br/>Cactus does not try to reinvent the wheel with its new album. It's a Classic Rock sounding piece of work from start to finish, and the more I look at the cover image the more I feel the music coincides with the tightrope walker's position: slightly past the middle of the distance. To that end, I did enjoy this one-way attraction.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>6.5 out of 10</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>1. GARY MOORE – How Blue Can You Get</strong></em></span><br/>You don't know how much you miss something until it's gone. One of the most underrated guitarists left us in 2011, and the void of his clean and gorgeously melodic guitar tone was never filled again. Gary Moore changed the style of music he performed in, few times over his career, but he never compromised the instantly recognizable sound only he was able to summon from the instrument most people hang around their neck. When "Still Got The Blues" came out in 1990, there was no shortage of praise for his latest transformation, so it's no surprise that this posthumous album of unreleased materials is centered around the Blues as well. I got to be honest, I did expect subpar songs and somewhat muddy production to surface, but man... was I wrong on both counts. There are 8 songs on the album (4 covers + 4 originals) of the highest quality, to remind us what a Gibson can sound like when handled by a true Legend.<br/>My streaming experience: <strong>7 out of 10</strong></p> I'm not sure why I didn't pay…tag:classic-rock-bottom.ning.com,2021-03-29:6060463:Comment:2348472021-03-29T15:59:50.075ZYngve J. Chapleenhttps://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/profile/YngveJChapleen
<p>I'm not sure why I didn't pay more attention to them, since I loved their first 2 CDs. I should probably revisit their catalog.</p>
<p>I'm not sure why I didn't pay more attention to them, since I loved their first 2 CDs. I should probably revisit their catalog.</p>