HAND OF DIMES - ST (2012)

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Singer Neville MacDonald was the founder member of UK hard rock favorites Skin during the nineties. But the shouter a decade before also was part of the acclaimed Welsh AOR act Kooga who released the much beloved disc 'Across The Water' in 1986.
His partner in crime with Kooga was the excellent songwriter and keyboardist Neil Garland.
After so many years both have reunited again to form the fresh new band HAND OF DIMES which are releasing their self-titled debut EP.

For this new project, the pompy keyboards are gone giving room to both artists soulful hard rock bluesy roots, a style which the pair began developing before forming Kooga.
Hand Of Dimes has a classic rock sound with pulsating guitars, traditional keyboards and an earthy rhythm section but still maintaining the powerful vocals that Nev MacDonald has developed over the years.

You can't go wrong with these excellent, experienced musicians. Helped by Colin Edwards (Magenta) on lead guitar, Mark Maybry (Fish 'N Frenzy) and David Stephenson (Autopilot) on drums, Hand Of Dimes sounds tight 'n rocking with an emotional feeling.
Nev MacDonald is touring as part of the Matti Alfonzetti band Red White & Blues (presented here some time ago) so you know what to expect from Hand Of Dimes.
The recording was done in the old-fashioned, analog way, and you even can hear a little tape hiss put on purpose. But all these songs sound fresh and up-to-date, and if you are tired of the same riff / the same songwriting pattern, then with Hand Of Dimes you have quality in both departments.
This EP is an advance for the full length album to be released next year. Can't wait for it.
Easily Recommended.


01 - Looking At You
02 - Angels And Demons
03 - Pinstriped Arrogance
04 - Jacob's Ladder

Nev MacDonald - vocals, guitar
Neil Garland - keyboards
Colin Edwards - lead guitar
Mark Maybry - bass
David Stephenson - drums



BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Hand-of-Dimes/dp/B0096CYTNM

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RED WHITE & BLUES (feat. Matti Alfonzetti) - Shine (2011)

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The new UK/Swedish band that all in the music rock management are talking about for a couple of weeks now is called RED WHITE & BLUES.
"Shine" is the debut album from this duo who you may not have heard of yet… I say yet as you will soon, believe me.

This group features no other than talented Myke Gray and Matti Alfonzetti.
Originally working together in the acclaimed Jagged Edge, which released the stunning album 'Fuel For Your Soul', Matti Alfonzetti went on to record with acts such as Road To Ruin, Skintrade and also issue a series of solo albums, the last released just a month ago ('Here Comes The Night').
Myke Gray went on to form Skin, one the the UK's best loved rock bands, which racked up hit singles such as 'Money' and whose debut album made the UK Top 10.
Now Matti and Myke are back together and Red White & Blues are sure to impress any fan of high quality rock music.

Joining Myke (guitars) and Alfonzetti (vocals & bass) is drummer Che Leon Beresford to complete the line-up.
The trio play classy traditional Hard Rock, which is some of the best I have heard in many years, with a baggage of original classic songs that most bands would die for.
As a mark of how good Red White & Blues are, as well as supporting The Quireboys and Whitesnake recently, they are also playing along with Chickenfoot on their forthcoming UK dates in January.
All concert promoters and managers want Red White & Blues on their major acts gigs, and I can hear why.

Don't be mislead by the band's name. That's refers to the colors, not the genre.
Red White & Blues is an oiled classy Hard Rock machine, based on blues rock, yes, as many pure Hard Rock bands from England. But their sound combines the best of Skin, Jagged Edge and Thunder with a bit of early Whitesnake / Def Leppard.
"Shine" is a so energetic and passionate CD that I can figure out how hot they ought to sound on stage.

The opening song "Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll" sets out the bands stall greatly. This is a heavy rock anthem of the first degree with fantastic playing from Myke Gray, his guitar work throughout the album is amazing, from blistering solos to slow melodic lines, all are taken in his stride.
Another highlight throughout the disc is the vocal delivery from Alfonzetti. His voice is perfectly suited to this style of rock with a powerful, bluesy delivery not unlike Paul Rodgers in parts which is high praise in my book.
The album highlights are too numerous to mention with all 14 tracks being of the highest quality, but if pushed I would recommend "Set My Sights On You", "Let It Shine" and the excellent ballad "A Little Too Late" as a good starting point.


I can't recommend Red White & Blues' "Shine" enough.
It is a fun, upbeat, hard rocking album in the classic style, including terrific original songs wonderfully executed and produced with a crispy & brilliant sound.
At the moment the album appears to only be available through the band's own website or at gigs. Get a copy while you can; it's limited to 1000 units.
If you like Classic Rock and well written songs with hooks big enough for shark fishing, then this is definitely for you.
The only issue I have with the album is it was too late for my 'Best of 2011' list !
Highly, Highly Recommended.


01 - Stand Up For Rock And Roll
02 - Shame Shame
03 - Rescue Me
04 - Red White & Blues
05 - Let It Shine
06 - A Little Too Late
07 - Good Times
08 - Get It On
09 - Counts For Nothing
10 - Set My Sights On You
11 - Long Way From Home
12 - Girls And Guitars
13 - The Best Is Yet To Come
14 - The Road To Hell


Matti Alfonzetti - Lead & Backing Vocals, Bass
Myke Gray - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Che Leon Beresford - Drums & Percussion




BUY IT !
theredwhiteandblues.com/rwbshop/prod_1684375-Shine.html

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SKIN - Skin +7 [remastered] (2011)

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SKIN, one of the finest UK acts, finally gets their long time out of print self titled 1994 debut re-issued, remastered at 24-bit from the original source tapes plus 7 bonus tracks.
Some kind of a super-group, the band was founded in 1993 by ex-Jagged Edge members Myke Gray and Andy Robbins (also formerly of Tokyo Blade and the awesome Shogun) along with AORsters Kooga vocalist Neville MacDonald and drummer Dicki Fliszar, formerly from Bruce Dickinson’s touring band.

The group remained inactive from 1998, until it was announced that Skin would be playing at the Download Festival 2009. The band realised that the spark that kept them together those years ago was still there, and decided to record an acoustic album.
Following this, Skin went back into the studio to record what was described as their final album, the very good 'Breaking The Silence' already reviewed here on this blog.
But the fans and the new generation of rockers were eager for the first album to be reissued.

Skin's self-titled debut album is big on hard hitting guitar riffs, killer hooks and meticulous production courtesy of master Keith Olsen (Whitesnake, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne).
At the year of its original release, "Skin" was like an oasis in the middle of the (grungy) desert. The band's terrific late 80's sound compared to Tyketto and british Thunder is a blast, and this CD was undoubtedly one of the best that year.
Vocalist Nev MacDonald shone at the mid eighties with the excellent band Kooga, here he sings in a more power hard-bluesy style with an awesome range in the finest Coverdale/ Rodgers mould. Myke Gray’s impeccable guitar work is the driven force of the band, all sustained by a very very tight rhythm section.

I can't find a weak song on SKIN’s debut, all are solid rockers such as the top 20 hit single "Money", the scorching Mr. Big-like "Look But Don't Touch" or the super melodic "Tower of Strength".
You can't go wrong with a song entitled "Raised On Radio", the acoustic "Colourblind" sounds as the best Tyketto and "Wings Of An Angel" is a beautifully crafted ballad.
The bunch of bonus tracks are really good as well, including the songs from their rare self-released EP (previous to this CD); "Money", the rockin' cover of Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up" and their fantastic take on The Clash classic "Should I Stay Or Should I Go".
"Good Good Lovin" has an americanized sound (reminds me Trixter), "This Planet's On Fire" rocks good and "Take Me Down To The River" has an early Whitesnake vibe.


SKIN's debut is one of the finest Hard Rock albums released by a British band during the nineties, full of fire and melody.
This is a not-to-be-missed reissue, with a great remastering job and the plus of 7 really good and hard to find tracks.
Highly Recommended.


01 - Money
02 - Shine Your Light
03 - House Of Love
04 - Colourblind
05 - Which Are The Tears
06 - Look But Don't Touch
07 - Nightsong
08 - Tower Of Strength
09 - Revolution
10 - Raised On Radio
11 - Wings Of An Angel
12 - Monkey (bonus track)
13 - Should I Stay Or Should I Go (bonus track)
14 - Pump It Up (bonus track)
15 - Good Good Lovin' (bonus track)
16 - This Planet's On Fire (bonus track)
17 - Take It Easy (bonus track)
18 - Take Me Down To The River (bonus track)


Neville MacDonald: lead vocals, guitar
Myke Gray: guitars
Andy Robbins: bass
Dicki Fliszar: drums, percussion
Robert Mason (Lynch Mob, Warrant): guest backing vocals











BUY IT !
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/SkinSkin.htm
www.amazon.co.uk/Skin/dp/B005UHMFXS

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SKIN - Breaking The Silence (2010)

available exclusively from the band's site


SKIN were formed in the early '90s by ex JAGGED EDGE members Myke Gray and Andy Robbins (also formerly of TOKYO BLADE & SHOGUN) along with former KOOGA vocalist Neville MacDonald and drummer Dicki Fliszar (from Bruce Dickinson's touring band).
Through Maiden vocalist Dickinson, the band came to the attention of noted American producer Keith Olsen who offered to produce their debut at his 'Goodnight LA' Studio.

Prior to the release of the album, the band embarked upon a 14 date UK tour supporting LITTLE ANGELS.
Another support tour, this time with THUNDER helped swell their growing fan base.
SKIN's self titled debut break into the top 10 and peaking at # 9.
Unfortunately though, the band couldn't capitalize on the success of the album, and after a few more erratic releases, they finally called it a day in 1998.

11 years on, and after an offer to reunite for the '2009 Download Festival' culminated in a great performance, a full-scale successful tour followed, which led to the band being invited back to perform at this years' Download too, and the recording of a farewell album: "Breaking The Silence".

This cd ROCKS.
Neville McDonald’s voice has lost none of it's passion and power, to think this man actually gave up singing!
Myke's riffs and solos are as entertaining as ever, and the rhythm section of bassist Andy Robbins and drummer Dicki Fliszar locks in as if it's never been away.
The rip-roaring opener "Good To Be Back" is a classic rock anthem fueled with big drums and a foot-stomping rhythm.
It's followed by "Don'’t Call It Love" which has a huge groove and catchy chorus, very commercial, with a speeded up ending.
First single "Stronger" is an absolute corker, a singalong anthem that has the 'feel-good factor' through it. This song must be on the radio!
"The Book Of Your Life" has a shuffling beat and another huge chorus and great lyrics about making the most of your life experiences; 'We crash and we burn but sometimes we learn'.

The likes of "Can You Feel It", "Indestructible" and the hard-riffing "Trigger Inside" (which has echoes of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Cold Sweat’), are heavier songs that lean towards the later SKIN output in style, but are still hugely enjoyable.
There are also two ballads, the understated "When I'm With You" blends the electric and acoustic guitars to perfection, while the fantastic "Redemption" is a re-working of a song that first appeared on the ‘Up Close And Personal’ acoustic CD, and is one of the finest ballads you'll hear this year, complete with beautiful backing vocals from Jackie Gilbert, and piano work from longstanding keyboardist Colin McLeod.
The album closes with the up-tempo stormer "Born To Rock’n’Roll", featuring another immense chorus, which speeds up to a frantic climax, and does exactly what it says on the tin.

"Breaking The Silence" is a fine way to draw the curtain on one of the best bands the U.K. has ever produced, wich is criminally unknown outside Britain.
The songs rock bigtime, the musicianship is top notch, and there's plenty of guitar solos and flights of artistry.
I absolutely loved the debut album (still do to this day) and it fully deserved to be a success with no less than four Top 40 hits contained within it, and I'm pleased to say that "Breaking The Silence" leans back toward the mighty debut for it's overall atmosphere – even the same logo that adorned the cover is back –

Eleven tracks of no-frills, no-bullshit classic rock’n’roll, catchy, melodic, and very well produced.
For anyone who remembers SKIN from first time, this album will please you to the extreme, for those who are encountering them for the first time, all will be surprised by the quality of this group.
Unfortunately life gets in the way, and as everybody in the band has full-time jobs and families, this December's tour will be the last, but as a thank-you to the fans for remaining loyal, the band have recorded this final album.
And if this is indeed SKIN’s swansong, it couldn't have been any better.

Available exclusively from the band's site.
RECOMMENDED


01 - Good To Be Back
02 - Don't Call It Love
03 - Stronger
04 - Can You Feel It
05 - The Book Of Your Life
06 - When I'm With You
07 - Trigger Inside
08 - Indestructable
09 - Redemption
10 - Bad Reutation
11 - Born To Rock 'N' Roll


Neville McDonald : Vocals
Myke Gray : Guitars
Andy Robbins : Bass
Dicki Fliszar : Drums


www.skinfreak.co.uk
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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