A one-and-done Norwegian hard rock/metal group, Djerv came to my attention with the single “Madmen,” which was released ahead of the album’s release piqued my interest with its punkish female vocals, crushing riffs and infectious hooks. The album itself follows suit and is a no nonsense, high-octane affair that perhaps due to its Norwegian provenance retains a heavy core that gives the music a real edge versus the typical safe, mainstream hard rock. Track variety is good and the trim running time ensures listener attention never wavers. Shame the band never produced another album because they could have been big. Alas.
Happy to report that the pressing is great and that despite the modern, loud-as-a-banshee compression mix doesn’t get in the way of the sonics, offering a nice improvement over the CD.
Tom Kennedy – Bass;
Dave Weckl – Drums;
Stu Mindeman – Keyboards;
Bob Franceschini – Saxes;
Mike Stern – Guitar;
Eric Marienthal – Alto Sax;
Randy Brecker – Trumpet;
Bill Evans – Tenor Sax;
Roger Squitero – Percussion;
Matthias Biston – Trumpet;
Jason Swagler – Alto Sax
Hard to imagine “Grace” is 30 years old with the best recorded version of ‘Hallelujah’ IMO.
Singer songwriter Jeff Buckley disappeared after talking a swim in the Mississippi River, his body was found on 4th June 1997 after being spotted by a passenger on a tourist riverboat.
Cool outside but hot in here with a new installment of highly political incendiary desert blues from Amdou Moctar - Funeral for Justice. Scorchio! Not sure about the blood red vinyl tho, looks like I’ve just had a nose bleed!
Opeth - Heritage
Expanding my Opeth education with the bands 10th Studio album and the first that finally left their Death Metal DNA behind in favour of their Prog Metal aspirations.
Every time I hear The Stumble from this album, I can’t help thinking of the great Friday Night Rock Show presented by Tommy Vance on BBC Radio One from the days when it used to play music.
