CD Review: Queensryche / Frequency Unknown

Frequency Unknown
Queensryche
Reviewed by: Roger Scales

I want to address the ongoing debate/issue concerning the fact that there are two versions of the same band that exist currently in the world of Queensryche.  This is not unchartered waters nor will it be something that goes away anytime soon.  Unfortunately for the fans,  Rock n’ Roll is a business and in the old days when Joe Perry and Brad Whitford left Aerosmith (for example) there became The Joe Perry Project.  No problem.  New name, new identity, no harm done.  Today with the branding being so identifiable within the rock community there are now legal battles to see who rightfully owns and gets to use the name –  both for recording purposes and touring.  RATT, L.A. Guns, Great White, Grand Funk Railroad, Black Sabbath – the list goes on of popular bands that shift band members and fight over ownership of the logo and identity.  I have always looked at it as more music, more shows, more reasons to get excited about hearing a new or slightly different take on a band or sound that I found pleasing.  Have I liked all of the different versions of the bands?  NO.  Corabi replaces Vince Neil and they put an album called Motley Crue..did I like It? Yes.  Did it bomb?  Yes.  Who cares? Whether Geoff Tate’s  version of Queensryche ultimately gets ownership of the name or the camp featuring Todd LaTorre  wins out..I win as the fan because I can enjoy both for what they each offer.  Read more

CD/DVD Review: Whitesnake / Made in Japan

Made in Japan
Whitesnake
Frontiers Records
Reviewed by: Roger Scales

When Forevermore was released back in 2011 my initial thoughts were “Coverdale was able to bring back vintage Snake while still sounding fresh and current”.  A ton of credit must go to Doug Aldrich whose contributions to the songwriting stood out even more here than on 2008’s “Good To Be Bad”.  Tracks like “Love Will Set You Free” and “Steal Your Heart Away” are some of the strongest Snake tracks ever.  Aldrich is able to pick up the mantle passed down from Micky Moody, John Sykes, Adrian Vandenberg, Vivian Campbell, Steve Vai and leave his indelible mark on the legacy of one of rocks classic acts.  Read more

CD Review – Tom Keifer / The Way Life Goes

The Way Life Goes
Tom Keifer
Merovee Records
Reviewed by: Roger Scales

Wow, can you imagine that 1994 was the last time we heard any new original material from Cinderella with Still Climbing?  Well Mr. Keifer, the 19 year break was well worth the wait with The Way Life Goes.  On his new solo release, Tom takes the listener on a journey through all of what made Cinderella great – whisky soaked vocals, crunching guitars, bluesy hard rock, and  kick-ass menacing anthems aimed to please.  Tom took his best shot and hit the target with a resounding BULLYSEYE.  The songs are so strong it truly rivals anything on Night Songs or Long Cold Winter – two classics in my collection.  Keifer has come up with some his most memorable lyrics, really painting a picture with each track while keeping me tapping my best air drums at the same time with a solid backing band. Read more

Book Review: Sex, Drugs, RATT & Roll: My Life in Rock by Stephen Pearcy

Sex, Drugs, RATT & Roll: My Life in Rock
Stephen Pearcy
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Reviewed by: Roger Scales

Stephen Pearcy is a survivor.  That best describes his personal life as not only battling through years of substance abuse but also his musical career as a whole. Constantly fighting his inner demons ultimately landed him in rehab in 2009 for a booze/pills/weed and heroin addiction that almost ended his life. Subsequently, his career has had as many twists and turns and ups and downs as any organized car race that Pearcy may have driven in or been a part of since he attended his first race back in his teens.   Read more

CD Review: Left Hand Does/Encounter Safety

Left Hand Does
Encounter Safety
Reviewed by: Dorise Gruber

Luke Sullivan has had his hands in a lot of creative pots.  He’s mastered the albums of many artists/bands that we’ve featured here on TWRY in the last year: Daniel Harris, The Doctors Fox, School for Robots, and has also worked with Bryan Murphy of The Shills.  He’d been playing as drummer for the locally lauded band Night Fruit, but has now turned his attentions toward Left Hand Does, where he and his pint-sized sister Jean Sullivan are the project’s top brass.  Read more

CD Review: Wilderun / Olden Tales & Deathly Trails

Wilderun
Olden Tales & Deathly Trails
Reviewed by: B. Cross

Boston’s own Wilderun stand apart from their folk metal contemporaries due to their adherence to American folk tales rather than the much more common European legends. Their debut record Olden Tales & Deathly Trails encapsulates this both in terms of melody and lyrics; many of their themes are lifted from early American folk songs and naval legends. Read more

Book Review: Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss / Peter Criss

Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss
Peter Criss
Reviewed by: Roger Scales

Read more

CD Review: Tango Down / Identity Crisis

Tango Down
Identity Crisis
Kivel Records
Reviewed by: Roger Scales Read more

Triple ‘Heart’ Attack Review – Kicking and Screaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll / Fanatic / Strange Euphoria

Well guys this will be a first for your 80’s Guy..try and review three HUGE releases by Heart in the same post.  These include:  Kicking and Screaming A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll a very moving tell all written by Ann and Nancy Wilson with Charles R. Cross, Strange Euphoria a 3 CD/1 DVD Box set retrospective spanning nearly 40 years of Heart music and Fanatic, the brand new 2012 Heart Studio Album.  Talk about your cardiac alert due to sensory overload!  I may need a defibrillator and CPR when all is said and done but knowing I’m paying my own tribute to the dynamic sister duo of Ann and Nancy Wilson maybe just what the doctor ordered. Read more

CD/DVD Review: Triumph / Live at Sweden Rock Festival

Triumph
Live At Sweden Rock Festival 2008
Reviewed by: Roger Scales Read more

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