Black Stone Cherry, 'Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea' - Album Review

I’ve liked Black Stone Cherry for a long time. I’ve enjoyed all their CDs, and was very happy to see them at Rock on the Range a couple of years ago. I pre-ordered Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, and got the special edition, with three extra tracks. Inevitably, as bands try to keep alive on an ever shrinking market, there will be a "super deluxe edition" in a few months, with a DVD of random clips shot during the recording process, a promo video, a couple of acoustic versions, a cover, and some live tracks. I will probably buy that, too.

I’m sure everyone has heard the single, "White Trash Millionaire." A riff driven rock song, it definitely shows their 70s influence, but only in a good way. The second track, "Killing Floor" continues in the same vein. Track three is the first ballad, but it’s a good ballad, not a Def Leppard style ballad. "Such a Shame" opens with one of the faster riffs on the album. I think these guys are outgrowing the Southern rock comparisons, the influence is still there, but they are finding their own sound, and it’s not all based on the past, or in Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The next track, "Blame it on the Boom Boom," is obvious in it’s subject matter, and is in general an obvious rocker. Starting with a very southern sort of riff, it quickly turns in to a foot stomping sing along rock song. I’d love to see the guys play this live.

I’m detecting a pattern here. Track 7 is not quite a ballad, but it’s a more open, acoustic sort of song. All these ballads have their rockier moments, none is "More than Words" or "Two Steps Behind." The next song caught me by surprise the first time. I was listening to this song that starts with a guitar riff and then ends up being slow, but heavy. I realized it’s a cover of Marshall Tucker Band’s "Can’t You See," again tying them to Southern rock. They’ve really changed this up, instead of just doing it like the original. I like it a lot.

The rest of the CD continues in the same vein, solid songs, riff driven 70s influenced rock. I suspect you’ve guessed by now that I really like this band. However, I will say that what they are doing is not ground breaking. Their style of music is not one that calls for a whole lot of variation. The songs hardly all sound the same, but they are based in a solid tradition that doesn’t allow for much variance in overall style. For those reasons, it’s hardly surprising that the three bonus tracks on the deluxe CD are every bit as good as the main 12 tracks. "Staring at the Mirror" starts with a banjo and goes in to a heavy, solid riff before opening up in to a classic rock song. "Fade Away" is another excellent ballad, and "Die for You" cranks up another classic riff to good effect.

These guys have been around for a while, and because of who their parents are, and how they formed, there’s been a bit of a mythology and some expectations that come out of that. With their third album, I feel like they are coming out of the shadow of their past and forging their own identity, still based on their obvious influences, but not overshadowed by them.

Help Switchblade Scarlett

Switchblade Scarlett are a legit Glam band... from Ohio no less! They need some cash to make a proper, commercial ready music video for the song "Party Girls" (being made by Kevin Maistros) and for a vinyl pressing of their debut White. Line. Fever. They only need $7 grand to make it happen... and there are prize levels for donations:

Tier 1: Sponsorship

$5 Autographed Thank You note from the band 

$10 Autographed 8x10 official press kit photo from the band

$25 Autographed copy of White. Line. Fever

$50 Autographed vinyl (pending funding) or an autographed tee/CD combo

$100 Gets you all three + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page

$300 gets you all of the Tier One prizes framed in your choice of color anodized frame with tempered glass and matting (deliver in the lower 48 included) + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page

$500 gets you all of the above + a producer credit on the video and on the record

$1000 Gets you all of the above + a quick "This video brought to you by (company or individual name)" still image at the opening video (limit 3). (Excludes broadcast of the video)

$2500 Gets you a fifteen-second commercial at the beginning of the video (limit 1). (Excludes broadcast of the video)

If you want to donate, click their IndieGogo page.

'WhoCares' - Album Review

Back in the early 90s, I saw a video clip on MTV a few times, of Rock Aid Armenia doing a cover of "Smoke on the Water." I always loved the song, but never had a chance to buy it. Recently, it’s been re-released on CD with four versions, a 2010 remix, the original 1989 mix, the 1989 radio mix, and a superfluous version with Ian Gillan singing all through it. The guitarists include Tony Iommi, Brian May, David Gilmour and Ritchie Blackmore. The song was done to aid Armenia after a particularly bad earthquake.

Now there’s a new charity project, called "WhoCares," featuring Tony Iommi on guitar, Nicko McBrain on drums, Ian Gillan on vocals, Jason Newstead on bass and Jon Lord on keys. They’ve recorded a new song with the express goal of rebuilding a music school that has still not reopened, 20 years after the original disaster.

There’s two songs on this CD, as well as some enhanced video. The first, "Out of My Mind" is co-written by Tony and Ian. It is is quite heavy in a slow, doomy Black Sabbath sort of way. I like this song a lot.

I co-incidentally just got the remaster of Black Sabbath Born Again, and while I wouldn’t say this song sounds like it could be on that album, it’s similar in the sense of a Black Sabbath riff with Ian Gillan singing over it. Unlike the original Born Again, the production on this track is very good.

The second track actually loses the all star cast, only Tony and Ian remain for "Holy Water," a song that certainly starts a lot slower and softer. Apparently the instrument I can hear taking a solo is called a "duduk." I admit to having no idea what that is, but it sounds very middle eastern. After about 90 seconds, the song gets a lot heavier, although it’s still more of a progressive rock song than heavy metal. I had assumed that Tony co-wrote both songs, but as it progressed, I thought "There’s no way Tony wrote this," and I was right, Ian did, with Steve Morris. It’s still a very decent track, just not a Black Sabbath-type one.

So, a bunch of members of well regarded rock bands come together for the benefit of a charity. Perhaps it’s an old story, but the cause is a good one, the tracks are good, and I’d certainly recommend this CD as worthwhile for any fan of Iommi or Gillan at least. I’m not sure it’s essential listening for any Metallica or Maiden fans, but I’d still say it’s worth a look.

Reckless Love vs. Def Leppard

Finnish rockers Reckless Love are bringing back Glam. Yesterday, I was working on another project when I came across their cover of Def Leppard's "Hysteria." Now, anyone who knows me, knows I love "Hysteria." When I came across the Reckless Love cover I was both excited and nervous. I must admit, I'm on the fence about the whole thing. I just don't think anything can come near Def Lep's tune. You decide.

Reckless Love "Hysteria"

Def Leppard "Hysteria"

I'm So Excited for the New Rival Sons Album

The Rival Sons will release Pressure & Time later this month - June 28 to be exact (you can pre-order from the band's website). I swear, these guys prove rock is far from dead! I know the Rival Sons don't like to be compared to Led Zeppelin - but I can't help it. Their songs are so epically... classic it's almost too much for me to bear! I was trying to hold out until the 28th so I could review the album, but I just couldn't wait. The first single from the new album is the title track, "Pressure & Time."

The Rival Sons have a couple tour dates booked and will also play the ShipRocked cruise this November. Seriously - keep an eye on these guys.

Who Is Seeing Judas Priest on the Epitaph Tour?

Judas Priest just kicked off the Epitaph tour in Europe. They will make it to South America and eventually the U.S. in the fall.

Like any good fan, I went poking around YouTube for clips to check out the set and stage setup. The band looks and sounds pretty good. I found some really high quality clips shot Saturday night at the Sauna Open Air Festival in Tampere, Finland. Check it out and let me know if you plan on catching the band on this "farewell" tour.

Escape the Fate: Glam or Not?

Escape the Fate sure look Glam... but are they? I must admit, I'm not a rabid fan of the band but my husband loves them, and he keeps walking around the house muttering their songs. The other day, he was watching their video for "Issues" and I stopped and looked over his shoulder. The video reminded me of something Motley Crue would make these days. And the drummer definitely looks like he wants to be Slash. I have to give them props, "Issues' is catchy. They played Rock on the Range last month and drew a massive crowd over at the F.Y.E. side stage, so people love 'em.

Oh, and did I bury the lede? Back when Escape the Fate had a different singer, they sort of re-did Van Halen's classic "Hot For Teacher" video. The Escape the Fate song used in the video is "Situations." Watching the Van Halen and Escape the Fate videos back to back is pretty cool.