Rocktopia: Andy Kim - 'Happen Again' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: Andy Kim is yet another of those names that music throws up that you possibly (probably?) don't know, but you have definitely heard his songs. The composer of The Archies big hit 'Sugar Sugar' way back in 1974, as well as also having chart success with covers of 'Baby, I Love You' and 'Be My Baby', which were both originally hits for The Ronettes, Kim also hit UK and USA number 1 with his self penned 'Rock Me Gently'. Disappearing from public view in 1976, it would be a further four years until Andy Kim would resurface, but this time under the guise of Baron Longfellow, under which name he released a couple of albums and a few singles, before again stepping out of the limelight. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/1gXVK

Rocktopia: Marillion - 'Live From Cadogan Hall' - DVD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine DVD review by Steven Reid: The Glasgow show on Marillion's 'Less Is More' acoustic tour is the one and only time, from the numerous live experiences I have of the band, that I have left one of their shows decidedly underwhelmed. So with that in mind, it would be fair to suggest I approached the DVD version of 'Live From Cadogan Hall', which was the last show on the same tour, with a little trepidation. On the night I saw this show the small venue was oversold, the hand dryer in the gents loo was louder than the band on stage and they refused to play 'It's Not Your Fault' because Too many people aren't listening! (evidently it WAS our fault!). Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/3Y1Db

Rocktopia: Party Tonight - 'Rock 'N' Roll For The Masses' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Faye Coulman: As cheesy and clichéd as their name suggests, Party Tonight rely heavily on a hackneyed, retro appeal that teams 80s sleaze with blues-tinged rock 'n' roll. Drenched in glam rock posturing and showy vocal acrobatics, it's an overwhelmingly unoriginal formula offering little more than a catchy homage to the much-imitated likes of Guns 'n' Roses, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Topped off with such lyrical gems as Make no craps, make love, make no craps, the Italians' debut outing falls somewhat short of their pumped-up promise of being The greatest rock band of the 21st century. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/imEQX

Rocktopia: Various Artists - 'War Horses - Angel Air Rocks!' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Steven Reid: This is the second excellent compilation from Angel Air Records I've reviewed in as many issues of Fireworks. Last time it was a collection of bands with a more progressive outlook on their music, while this time 'War Horses-Angel Air Rocks!' groups together some of the more straight ahead, good old fashioned rock bands on the label's roster. Featuring nineteen songs and eighteen bands (Bullet get two tracks, although they are 'Doors Opens' and 'Door Slams', which with them being exactly as their titles suggest, means that the twenty or so seconds they take up doesn't really represent what is an excellent band very well), although some musicians feature on numerous occasions, this compilation takes in everything from Southern Fried Boogie, to proggy classic rock, poppy AOR and straight Heavy Metal. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http:/!
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Rocktopia: Maxxwell - 'All In' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Faye Coulman: With its macho cover art and sleaze-ridden riffs, 'All In' appears little more than a mindless exercise in adrenalin. But beneath these misleading first impressions lie an unexpected wealth of ultra-smart songwriting and soulful moments of melodic clarity. Buzzing with grinding, arena-ready energy, the Swiss quintet embrace an overwhelmingly Americanised sound, spanning a good-time cocktail of sing-along choruses and face-melting solos. As such, the album features a hefty helping of stereotypical old school trappings which, without Maxxwell's more creative tendencies, would prove painfully unoriginal. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/KXFvq

Rocktopia: Trapt - 'No Apologies' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Mike Newdeck: Studio album number four sees the L.A alternative rock quartet treading familiar territory. Crunching riffs again combine with well-arranged songs and a healthy dose of melody. Superbly produced by Johnny K to enhance the fluidity and add the necessary weight to the guitar sound, 'No Apologies' is perhaps the bands most commercial album to date. Potential hits come thick and fast in the form of 'End Of My Rope', 'No Apologies' or even the slightly more aggressive 'Beautiful Scar'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ZsiHd

Rocktopia: Madam Adam - 'Madam Adam' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Mike Newdeck: Having been signed once already to Virgin under the moniker Red Handed, it seemed unlikely that the band would be signed by a major label again, such is the stigma associated with leaving a major label. Previously known as Agynst - a name they subsequently dropped when they realised nobody could pronounce it - the band finally broke free from the shackles of Virgin and changed their name to Madam Adam in a bid to hide their past and thus attract other record labels. It worked and Roadrunner signed them. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/OJ7Dr