Released by: Mascot Label Group
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Hard Rock
Links: http://www.blackstonecherry.com
Line Up:
Chris Robertson – vocals/guitar
Ben Wells – guitar/vocals
Jon Lawhon – bass/vocals
John Fred Young – drums
Tracklist:
01. The Way Of The Future
02. In Our Dreams
03. Shakin’ My Cage
04. Soul Machine
05. Long Ride
06. War
07. Hangman
08. Cheaper To Drink Alone
09. Rescue Me
10. Feelin’ Fuzzy
11. Darkest Secret
12. Born To Die
13. The Rambler
With the name of the album being their home state Black Stone Cherry has hit a home run with their latest musical endeavour (with new label Mascot Records) Kentucky.
With thick chunky riffs with a melodic intro you are welcomed to Kentucky with Way of the Future. Political undertones of unrest find their way into this song as does most of the album. The songs are smart, thoughtful and most of all – easy to comprehend. You hear the vocals so clearly that the story that is being told only needs the once before you need to be told it again.
The album takes leaps and bounds vocally and in production with songs like Hangman Born which makes me daydream of a night at an Arena somewhere with Buck Stone Cherry playing and everyone is singing along. With Die an influence of Nu Metal seems to force its way through taking Kentucky to a heavy level that you know must be fun to crank out of the stack of willing Marshall Amps. Nothing beats a heavy bass song that you can bounce to. Shakin’ My Cage is the Southern Fried Rock and Roll edge I was actually expecting to hear from a band out of Kentucky such as Black Stone Cherry. Clear guitar and vocals allow the listener to connect with that Southern charm and musical hospitality that the Southern States are known for.
From start to finish this is a total sing along album, no doubt about that. As acoustic is always a soft spot for me The Rambler was a nice touch to Kentucky as true musicianship really shows when stripped down. The Rambler almost gives the listener time to breathe in between before the musical journey comes to an end. As if you allow you to take a moment to reflect before that “last song”.
Long Ride is my favourite. Everything about this song makes me want to sing along really loud down some dirt road with the lights out at night screaming at the top of my lungs. The vibe reflected in this song is gratitude – which is what I was feeling for being able to experience Kentuky in its entirety. The chorus of “It wouldn’t be the same without you.” Is one that I am sure many people can relate to. Thereby being able to add Long Ride to their musical soundtrack of life. That’s magic!
Overall – I believe that Kentucky is worth the listen. It’s comes in like thunder with steady and consistent musical coverage. Not one song was skipped as I played Kentucky and I would say that this an album not just for Black Stone Cherry fans- its also for fans who enjoy the heavy anthem rock of bands like Nickelback. I would love to see Black Stone Cherry open for Nickelback (hint hint) So yes for Kentucky and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did/do.
Now remember folks – its deer season – that means that rolling down your windows and cranking the tunes is good for the environment!
Written by: Marianne Jacobsen
Ratings: Marianne 8/10
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