Despite my extreme musical leanings over the last three decades, I still hold a torch high for the classic, traditional end of the spectrum, and can easily identify those albums that, for me, exude the rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Unfortunately Black Stone Cherry has never released any of them.
Let’s be clear….they have released eight studio albums, all sorts of live and short-play formats, have achieved significant success – particularly in the UK – and their brand of Southern states, country infused classic rock has done them well. People really like them.
However, following the release of their new EP ‘Celebrate’, it’s time we asked why? Now a band with a 20 years career behind them, a period in which Alter Bridge released the incomparable ‘Blackbird’ and Slash carried on just being Slash, they seem to have ventured no further than the slightly younger gang of directionless dudes who had nothing better to do than blame it on the boom-boom.
Shock horror… here we find them ‘Caught up in the up Down’ – another dreadful, impact-less and dirge-filled attempt at masking drivel with groove. Add in the turgid, unwelcome ‘Neon Eyes’ where vocalist/guitarist Chris Robertson (who must now be mid-forties) sings about going with the flow on a night out as if he is some ever so slightly more experienced teenager, as well as the undoubtedly worst track on the release ‘I’m Fine’ (which even includes some really daring swearing), it’s no surprise that this does nothing to change my impression of Black Stone Cherry.
Once you have navigated your way through the lows of ‘Deep’ – where they maintain their ethos of making sure the drums sound like stadium drums because that’s where they deserve to be, obviously – there is, quite frankly, one of, if not the worst, cover I have ever clapped my ears around. Black Stone Cherry throw a couple of v’s to Simple Minds, and the entire cast of everyone’s favourite movie ‘The Breakfast Club’, as they cover the un-coverable ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’. There is absolutely no forgiveness here. I can’t even offer a small floral token of my sympathy. It is terrible.
‘Celebrate’ is, I am sure you have realised by this point, an oxy-moron. There is nothing to celebrate apart from when this complete shambles is over. I appreciate the genre and where they fit within it, but please, people, start to have some gumption about being honest about what you like and why. Black Stone Cherry have been given a platform that, now 20 years in, I don’t think they ever deserved or, sadly, earnt.
Best Paired With: Pub Rock, Dads with no music taste, Old Guy’s Rule Tees and a Special Anorak for rainy days.
Reviewed by jaff.
black Stone cherry – celebrate is out now on Mascot Records.
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