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Title: Folklore and Superstition
Artist: Black Stone Cherry
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 22nd August 2008
Label: Roadrunner Records



Album Review

The band BLACK STONE CHERRY originates from Edmonton, Kentucky; and as there’s very little to do in the middle of a dry country, the band members had plenty of time to focus on their music. BLACK STONE CHERRY then was officially formed in 2001 and with expanding local popularity, they began to record track and in 2006 the self-titled debut was released, followed by extensive touring and the subsequent release of three EP’s. In 2008 the band supported DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE on all dates of the latter's extensive Great Britain and Northern Ireland tour. On 26th June, their last date on this tour, the band succeeded in their lifelong dream of playing Wembley Arena. August 2008 now sees the release of the second BSC album ‘Folklore & Superstition’.

The album begins with ‘Blind Man’ and powerful drumbeats before the guitars start to shred and give it even more drive, Chris’ vocals are even more remarkable, sounding much more like an old-timer than a guy in his 20s. Leading from the verses to the chorus parts is an awesome sequence underlined with chorals where his vocal power reaches its apex in the track. Besides the strong musicianship, BLACK STONE CHERRY are also storytellers and with that they’re giving their songs also a very personal note, you can strongly feel in the next song ‘Please come in’ which has a slight melancholic note to it and is about getting the heart broken but also about finding a new love. ‘Reverend Wrinkle’ brings out another element in the music with a little bit of  harmonica and I can only guess, but ‘Reverend Wrinkle’ sounds to me like a local story, he seems to be a person whom hopes are pinned, some kind of guide. “He’s the only one, who knows the way back home”. ‘Soul Creek’ bears such an uplifting spirit and is so rousing that it is our principal duty to sing and rock with the guys and by the way the guitar solos are superb. Sometimes it’s just a small step from happiness to melancholy, like it is now from the last song to ‘Things my father said’ a moving ballad, plucking your heartstrings with piano and strings, which gives utterance to the hope that all people we lost in our lives may appear as a star up there on the heaven’s to watch over their loved ones, they had to leave behind and the boy is pleading for one last chance to hear his father say goodbye.

The fastest and most aggressive song on the album, arrangement-wise, is ‘The bitter End’ where the protagonist comes to realize that you’re sometimes rather getting a verbal kick in the ass than a thank you, even if you’ve been there for a person all along. ‘Piece is Free’ starts wonderfully calm and solemn with an acoustic guitar and also the drumming remains quite laid-back until the song culminates in a relieving chorus. I’d like to quote some lines from the lyrics, because think this is something we easily forget sometimes “Everybody feels blue sometimes; you gotta keep your head on and keep on trying”. The next song ‘Devil’s Queen’ has a strong straight in-ya-face attitude and of you like some classically played rock and than this is your song. One of my highlights and also the last song on ‘Folklore & Superstition’ is ‘The Ghost of Floyd Collins’ and if you’re now wondering who the hell Floyd Collins is, then I’ll give you a short breakdown. He was a celebrated pioneer, who died in 1925, while trying to discover a new entrance and attempts to free him became a media sensation; and who knows, maybe his ghost is still down there in Sand Cave. End of the little history lesion and back to the song, beginning with a guy talking in some kind of Yankee dialect and starts with full throttle with wailing guitar riffs and drumming. Did I mention that I love the vocals?

This is my first BLACK STONE CHERRY album but it surely won’t be the last. They’ve good song writing, an incredible voice; and they tell stories that move. Everything a good rock album needs for me…


Tracklist

01. Blind Man – 3:44
02. Please come in – 4:00
03. Reverend Winkle – 4:16
04. Soul Creek – 3:41
05. Things my Father said – 3:57
06. The bitter End – 4:13
07. Long sleeves – 4:21
08. Peace is free – 4:14
09. Devil's Queen – 4:43
10. The Key – 4:32
11. You – 4:24
12. Sunrise – 3:52
13. Ghost of Floyd Collins – 3:50


Line-up

Chris Robertson – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Ben Wells – Guitar, Vocals
John Fred Young – Drums, Vocals
Jon Lawhon – Bass Guitar, Vocals


Website

http://www.blackstonecherry.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/blackstonecherry


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8


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