The Cold Stares – The Southern
(Mascot Records – 2024)
Style: Blues / Southern Rock
Let’s start with this, this is authentic blues with a Southern edge. It is stunning from start to finish, it has a vibe that is captivating from the opener until the closer. It is uncluttered with everything given space to breathe. It is inescapably flawless as it takes you on a ride through the blues.
Ok, I have laid my cards on the table you know where this is going, so I suggest you read on as I try to capture in 400 words or so just how good this record is. For a decade, The Cold Stares have existed as a duo with just Vocalist/Guitarist, Chris Tapp and Drummer, Brian Mullins. They've stunned audiences in America and Europe due to delivering on tour after tour. Now they have recruited a 3rd member, Bryce Klueh, which judging by my review copy has seen them attain greater heights and will surely see them get even greater acclaim.
Their forthcoming UK tour will surely be a must see, so look out for the September dates. London for me! I am playing this for the umpteenth time and it is incredible, I think I have already stated that! ‘Horse To Water’ gets us up and running, the voice immediately providing the quality, subtle & sublime packed with restrained power and feel.
‘Coming Home’ is more countrified blues as it tells the story of returning home. ‘It is the place that I call my own’ it is delicate, yet it captures the journey magnificently. Now we are heading for trouble, that Southern drawl packs a punch as we head for a brawl, I’m ‘Looking For A Fight’, a quick one two from bass and drums, make this a knockout!
I am not going to do a track-by-track review, you need to hear and decide for yourselves. There are no weaknesses, the album just flows in every sense. It conjures up the fluidity of the 60’s, the rawness of Hendrix improvisation and as a three piece there is atmosphere and space: Everything has its place! These are the ‘Cream’ on the top.
‘Confession’ exemplifies this as it becomes a masterful jam that ends to soon, it could go on & I am sure it does live, for 15 minutes or more. The songs have a gravitas, a lightness of touch that makes them merge into the memory in a magical manner.
I’m over 400 words and I have barely touched the surface. ‘Seven Ways To Sundown’ builds from an inventive drum pattern, anyone who knows the ‘Walking Papers’ will have an idea of the storytelling and power of this great song, the guitar solo at around the 2 minute 50 seconds mark is pure class and those vocals, stunning!
Put simply this album is quality from start to finish. Just give it a listen and you will be as impressed as I am.
By Paul Mace