RGG August 2016 - p.21
Hangman sees the record move into heavier
territory, with its grungy intro and monstrous riffs.
Again the guitar work is nothing short of fantastic
and its gravelly tone which just rumbles from
your speakers is the stuff dreams are made of.
Cheaper To Drink Alone is classic BSC and is
just really solid. There’s nothing bad and nothing
exceptional, just a real solid album track.
Rescue Me has a brief dalliance with Queen as
it gets underway before a real Alter Bridge-esque
thundering riff takes over. Once more it’s really
solid fare. Feelin’ Fuzzy is a serious grower.
(Apologies for the slightly lazy cliché) It’s one of
those real ‘head-nodders.’ It’s solid drumbeat
and thumping hook just gets your head going
whether you like it or not. It gets better and better
with every listen and by the time I sat down to put
pen to proverbial paper I was surprised by how
much I liked this tune.
As the record hits the home stretch you might
be forgiven for thinking that the band might let up
a bit but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Darkest Secret sees the band reach for the
‘heavy’ button one more time as they smash
through soaring guitar solos, big choruses and
moments of pure frantic chaos. Penultimate tune
Born To Die would make a fantastic single, it’s
just got that feel. It’s another song which just
leapt out at me and I can’t help but sing along
every time that I hear it, and I suspect that I won’t
be alone. It’s another one of those songs that is
impossible to listen to quietly.
Closing track The Rambler really is a beautiful
piece of work. I saw the band play this live on
their recent UK tour and it’s a brilliant way to
finish. It’s really stripped back and that means
that the lyrics just hit you straight between the
eyes, I mean how emotive is this for a chorus?
“A million miles from Kentucky but I’ll always be
around, so turn the radio up when your heart
breaks down.”
I loved the idea behind this record so I’m so glad
to be able to say that it really is a fantastic listen.
It goes back to the band’s roots and takes
influence from everything from Blues to
Bluegrass and beyond. Kentucky has got a bit of
everything and lives up to expectations. It rocks,
soothes and makes you smile in equal measure
and that’s exactly what rock music should be
about. Black Stone Cherry are a band at the top
of their game and long may it continue.
James Holder
