ALBUM REVIEWS - 2008

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.scotrock.co.uk"><U><I><STRIKE><IMG SRC="523aaaa0.jpg" border=0 width="170" height="170" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></STRIKE></I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="144" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#000000 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#333366 HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="126"><div> <A HREF="site_map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SITE MAP"><U><B>SITE MAP</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>ALBUMS REVIEWED -</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#nazareth___the_newz__2008__1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>NAZARETH - The Newz</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#the_fratellis___here_we_stand__2008_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>THE FRATELLIS - Here We Stand </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#opeth___watershed__2008_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>OPETH - Watershed</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#jeff_healey___mess_of_blues__2008_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>JEFF HEALEY - Mess Of Blues</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#fish___13th_star__2008_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>FISH - 13th Star</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#glyder___playground_for_life__2008_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>GLYDER - Playground For Life</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm#saxon___the_inner_sanctum__2007_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U>SAXON - The Inner Sanctum </U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B><U>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2008</U></B></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="nazareth___the_newz__2008__1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 386 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>NAZARETH</U></B><B> - The Newz (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="13eababa0.jpg" border=0 width="186" height="186" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">Scottish rock legends Nazareth celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. To coincide  with this Nazareth have released The Newz, the band's first studio album in years and the 21st of their career.</div> <div> Only two original members now remain, gravel throated singer Dan McCafferty, whose voice is now unsurprisingly showing signs of wear and tear, yet still delivers the goods, and rock solid Bassist Pete Agnew. Pete`s son Lee has played drums for the band since the death of Darrell Sweet, and last in the current line up is guitarist Jimmy Murrison who provides a welcome hard rock edge to the band's sound.</div> <div> The Newz is a fine collection of good rock tracks though doesn`t have the quality of Nazareth`s mid 1970s' classic albums like Razamanaz and Hair Of The Dog. Nazareth may be getting a little long in the tooth these days, Dan McCafferty jokes on the sleeve notes "Next to us, Santa Claus looks young", yet the guys can still rock and this album would be a worthy addition to any rclassic rock fans collection.</div> <div> Stand out tracks include "Goin Loco", "Liar" and "Enough Love".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 8 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.nazarethdirect.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nazarethdirect.co.uk/"><U>www.nazarethdirect.co.uk/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="the_fratellis___here_we_stand__2008_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 326 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>THE FRATELLIS</U></B><B> - Here We Stand (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="13e9b9b90.jpg" border=0 width="185" height="185" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">Glasgow`s Fratellis burst onto the music scene in 2006 with their excellent debut album Costello Music. Hit singles like "Chelsea Dagger" and "Baby Fratelli" helped establish the trio as a household name all in a relatively short space of time, as the band had only formed in 2005.</div> <div> New album Here We Stand, the group's sophomore release continues The Fratellis tradition of infectious power pop tunes. There are plenty of good tracks to keep the fans bouncing at festivals this summer though on the whole it`s a weaker and slower album than its predecessor.</div> <div> Stand out tracks include "Mistress Mabel", "Shameless" and "My Friend John".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 8 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.thefratellis.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.thefratellis.com/"><U>www.thefratellis.com/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="opeth___watershed__2008_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 354 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>OPETH</U></B><B> - Watershed (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="13dda6a60.jpg" border=0 width="166" height="166" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B>Swedish metallers Opeth began their career in 1990 as a death metal band. Frontman Mikael Akerfeldt`s love of progressive rock artists like Van Der Gaaf Generator and Camel saw Opeth continually steering more in this musical direction until what we have now with new album Watershed is a mouthwatering blend of styles and extremes. While death metal can be exhilarating, for me personally the relentless screaming vocals can become wearing. Akerfeldt gives his vocals a refreshing mix of sedateness and roaring power. The whole album is a rollercoaster for the senses with beautiful acoustic guitars giving way to crunching rock and every track diverse and challenging. Opeth have now established themselves as a progressive metal band with real quality, fans of Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree will not be disappointed.</div> <div> Stand out tracks include "The Lotus Eater", "Coil", "Porcelain Heart" and "Burden". Check out the special edition which has an excellent cover version of Robin Trower`s "Bridge Of Sighs".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 9 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.opeth.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.opeth.com"><U>www.opeth.com</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="jeff_healey___mess_of_blues__2008_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 338 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>JEFF HEALEY</U></B><B> - Mess Of Blues (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="13d3a4a50.jpg" border=0 width="164" height="165" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> On 2nd March 2008, talented Canadian musician Jeff Healey died at the age of 41 after a life long battle with cancer. Blind from the age of one, Jeff developed a unique style of playing guitar accross his lap. And what a great blues rock guitarist he was, always pouring great fire and passion into his work. </div> <div> Jeff died weeks before the release of this now final album Mess Of Blues. It was recorded late 2007 and features covers of  great blues songs recorded in the studio and also some live. Jeff described his group as "the best damned bar band in Canada" and it`s clear that the whole band are having a blast on this storming album.</div> <div> Gone, Jeff now lives on through the rich legacy of music he has left behind and Mess Of Blues is a fine way for him to take a final bow. Outstanding tracks include "I'm Tore Down", "Sittin' On Top Of The World", "Like A Hurricane" and "The Weight".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 8.5 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.jeffhealey.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.jeffhealey.com/"><U>www.jeffhealey.com/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="fish___13th_star__2008_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 375 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>FISH</U></B><B> - 13th Star (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1398a3a30.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="163" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Being a fan of Scottish singer/songwriter Fish can be a frustrating experience. After several outstanding albums with prog rockers Marillion Fish began a solo career in 1990 with the brilliant Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors. Since then Fish`s releases have been a bit hit or miss, though 1997`s Sunsets On Empire and 2003`s Field Of Crows were definitely hits. So when the big man releases a new album I always approach it with a little trepidation. However Fish dispels all fears and doubts with this stunning new studio album 13th Star. This is an excellent album and a match for his classic "Vigil" album, and draws comparisons to Marillion`s Clutching At Straws. The catalyst for the strong writing on 13th Star comes from Fish`s experience of being jilted at the alter. He has poured all the emotions from this episode in his life into 13th Star, an album filled with heartache, anger and ultimately hope. As the album progressess you can almost imagine yourself sitting in a quiet corner of a pub listening to an old friend narrate tales of his life. 13th Star is an album that demands the attention of the listener and sees Fish reach new creative heights. Outstanding tracks include "Open Water", "Arc Of The Curve", "13th Star" and "Circle Line".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 9 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.the-company.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.the-company.com/"><U>www.the-company.com/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="glyder___playground_for_life__2008_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 306 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>GLYDER</U></B><B> - Playground For Life (2008)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1378a0a00.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="160" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Irish rockers Glyder return with an impressive second album Playground For Life. Glyder`s classic rock influences are obvious with Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Rory Gallagher, and more giving the band inspiration. Yet Glyder have talent of their own and incorpoarte their heros' styles rather than simply copying. Fans of Thin Lizzy in particular will enjoy Glyder`s surging twin lead guitar work.  Great praise came from Phil Lynott`s mum who is very impressed by Glyder, stating "watching them I get a buzz the same as I did watching my Philip". Playground For Life is a solid, rocking album from start to finish, bristling with great songs and rarely off my car`s CD player at the moment. Outstanding tracks include "Gamblers Blues", "Sweets", "For Your Skin" and the title track.</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 8.5 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.glydermusic.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.glydermusic.com/"><U>www.glydermusic.com/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="saxon___the_inner_sanctum__2007_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="754" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#444444" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 339 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div> <B><U>SAXON</U></B><B> - The Inner Sanctum (2007)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1377a0a00.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="160" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> The Inner Sanctum is the twenty fourth album released by British heavy metal band Saxon. The album was recorded at the same time the band were taking part in a TV makeover program with Harvey Goldsmith.  Saxon came out of Goldsmith`s show looking and sounding much the same as before, with hair, leather and denim aplenty, and they even managed that all too rare feat in these programs, maintaining their own dignity. What the show has done for the Barnsley band is to raise their public profile quite substantially and to give them a new found vitality and hunger for what they do best, make great thundering heavy metal. The Inner Sanctum is Saxon`s best album for years and for me stands up comfortably beside the band`s classic 1980 release Wheels Of Steel. Frontman Biff Byford and the band should be very proud of this inspired album which continues to fly the flag for the NWOBHM era. Stand out tracks include "State Of Grace", the epic "Atila the Hun" and "I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)".</div> <bR> <div> <B>SR rating of 8.5 out of 10.</B></div> <bR> <div> Official web site - <A HREF="http://www.saxon747.com/en/is/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.saxon747.com/en/is/"><U>www.saxon747.com/en/is/</U></A></div> <bR> <div> (by AC, 2008)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REVIEWS"><U>REVIEWS</U></A></div> <div> <B>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2008</B></div> <div> <A HREF="album_reviews94.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2007"><U>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2007</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="album_reviews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2006"><U>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="album_reviews___2005.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2005"><U>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="album_reviews___2004.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2004"><U>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="dvd_reviews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DVD REVIEWS"><U>DVD REVIEWS</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=scotrockcouk-21&o=2&p=35&l=ez&f=ifr" width="150" height="80" scrolling="no" border="0" frameborder="0" style="border:none;"></iframe>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id48_m.htm" TITLE="ALBUM REVIEWS 2008"><U><B><U>Back to Top</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2008</I></div> <div> <I>ALBUM REVIEWS - 2008</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>