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Chris Robertson
– Vocals, guitar
Ben Wells – Guitar
Jon Lawhon – Bass
John Fred Young – Drums
The Hard Rock Southern band from Edmonton, Kentucky comes back their
second release in the past couple of years. The first album, which was self-titled, was release via Road Runner Record as
is this second release. Folklore and Superstition hit stores back in August of 2008 with lead single “Blind Man”
which leads off the album with a true hard rock performance. It has great raging guitars, pounding drums and nice lyrics.
The song packs a punch and should shoot to the top and stay there. The energy of the track is some that screams just wait
until I’m seen live not to mention the insane guitar solo. “Please Come In” installs some nice bluesy sound
to it. The guitars and vocals bring that to your attention straight off. “Reverend Wrinkle” begins more relaxed
until it steps up and jacks you in the jaw as “Soulcreek” is more of the same southern rock sound. A track that
will easily get the crowd into it as it sounds like a track the Kid Rock would try to pull off. This is a true Southern Hard
Rock performance, as it will be a fan favorite and an awesome pick for single #2. “Things My Father Said” is a
slower track that comes from the heart with a lot of emotion and passion. It will hit you hard as it has that special item
that gets you to repeat it many times. It’s an outstanding track that could also do very well on the radio. “Long
Sleeves” has a great rhythm it is that you can’t help but get into as “Peace Is Free” slows the album
down again with a very true track. It's one that needs to be looked at more than once. It also lays down a new effect that
the guys bring in a huge group vocal during the chorus. “Devil’s Queen” begins the assault on your ears
again with a high impact track at number 9. They again set the stage with the southern sound flying everywhere with many different
guitar riffs being tossed about like an old voodoo doll. “The Key” is another awesome track with some sweet rhythm
and cool effects on the vocals as well as backing vocals. This is a track that you can place in your radio and just jam to;
it like “Blind Man” will be a great live track. “You” is the third slow track on the album has a great
meaning to it. It’s one of those tracks that will solidify a band career, it has that big of an impact to it. Many,
many people will soak this track up like a sponge and will stick with them for a long time. “Sunrise” picks the
pace back up after “You,” as it moves through its progression they change it up musically and vocally. It moves
in and out of different sounds with multiple riffs and drums beats, but it all flows well. The album ends with “Ghost
of Floyd Collins.” It begins with a voiceover of a guy talking about Mr. Collins, and then the music explodes on the
scene and Chris’s vocals comes flying in as well. It’s a great way to end this great second album. When I reviewed
the first album I thought that they had huge potential but needed to harness the energy they had. The vocals were scratchy
and needed tamed down a bit. The drums were flying all over the place and needed to coincide with the rest of the music, well
a couple of years to work on all that stuff equals a breakout album for the band called Black Stone Cherry. Folklore and Superstitions
probably won’t win album of the year with others bands like Disturbed, Shinedown, and Metallica releasing albums this
year, but they should be mentioned in terms of a breakout performance. A must have!!!
Rating: 9 out of 10
My favorite tracks:
Blind Man, Soulcreek, Devil’s Queen,
You
Track List:
1. Blind Man
2. Please Come In
3. Reverend Wrinkle
4. Soulcreek
5. Things My Father Said
6. The Bitter End
7. Long Sleeves
8. Peace Is Free
9. Devil's Queen
10. The Key
11. You
12. Sunrise
13. Ghost of Floyd Collins
Website (s): www.blackstonecherry.com, www.roadrunnerrecords.com
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