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BACK AGAINST THE WALL

Groundhogs

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Groundhogs Back Against the Wall album cover
3.15 | 8 ratings | 1 reviews | 25% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 1987

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Back Against the Wall (5:26)
2. No to Submission (4:38)
3. Blue Boar Blues (3:14)
4. Waiting in the Shadows (6:17)
5. Ain't No Slaver (4:37)
6. Stick to Your Guns (5:56)
7. In the Meantime (5:15)
8. 54146 (3:29)

Total Time 38:52

Line-up / Musicians

- Tony McPhee / guitar, vocals
- Dave Thompson / bass
- Ken Pustelnik / drums

Releases information

1987 CD CD 005
2002 CD Thunderbolt 111
2008 CD Plastic Head 012
2008 CD Candlelight 123347
2008 CD Plastic Head 0122
2008 CD Abstract Sounds 123347

Thanks to alberto muņoz for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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GROUNDHOGS Back Against the Wall ratings distribution


3.15
(8 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of rock music(25%)
25%
Excellent addition to any rock music collection(12%)
12%
Good, but non-essential (50%)
50%
Collectors/fans only (12%)
12%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

GROUNDHOGS Back Against the Wall reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Easy Livin
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars Back to basics

At time of writing, "Back against the wall" is the latest album of original songs by the Groundhogs. Released in 1987, the ever present Tony McPhee brings back Ken Pustelnik on drums and Dave Thompson on bass for the recordings. The album represents a back to basics of sorts, in that McPhee ditches the various keyboards he has amassed, and sticks to lead guitar as his instrument of choice. This does not however imply a return to the straight blues of the very early days, indeed this album is by and large a standard guitar rock album.

The opening title track has something of a Dire Straits feel, McPhee's vocals even being similar to those of Mark Knopfler. The song has a distinctly commercial orientation, but does feature some of McPhee's superb guitar work. Thereafter we have a succession of similar sounding tracks, sometimes a bit slower, sometimes a bit faster, but each sticking to a familiar style and sound.

Apart from the aforementioned Dire Straits, this could well be a Wishbone Ash release, the bluesy lead guitar focused rock being very much in their vein. Tracks such as "Ain't no slaver" could well have been lifted from albums such as "There's the rub" or "New England". While it is all far from original, far from prog, and not very close to blues either, it is actually rather enjoyable. Those approaching the album hoping to hear either "Split - part 2" or the mellotron drenched style which the Groundhogs developed thereafter may not be too impressed. Those who enjoy McPhee's guitar prowess should be reasonably well satisfied.

For the rest of us, this a decent if largely anonymous album, devoid of challenges but well served by good sounds.

By the way, the final track's title "54126" is apparently the serial number of a Gibson guitar stolen from Tony McPhee. The song is a love song to said guitar.

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