Mascot Records [Release date 10.03.23]

This album comprising of 13 tracks was recorded almost entirely over the course of just two days with producer/engineer/mixer Mark Needham (Taj Mahal, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Walk the Moon, Fleetwood Mac), the album stands as the band’s most mature, eclectic collection yet, by this accomplished Indiana trio.

Launched in 2012, The Cold Stares got their start when long-time friends Tapp and Mullins agreed to team up for a fill-in gig that caught them both by surprise.

After wrapping up touring for 2021’s ‘Heavy Shoes’ (their fifth studio album and debut release for Mascot Records), Tapp and Mullins returned to their adopted hometown of Evansville, Indiana, with a decision to make.

The band’s sound had been growing increasingly elaborate in the studio, but unless they wanted to start playing along to pre-recorded backing tracks onstage, they were reaching a point where they wouldn’t be able to faithfully replicate their tunes anymore as a duo.

“We’d been a two-piece for a decade, so it wasn’t something we took lightly,” says Tapp. “But we’d also known Bryce for a long time and knew he’d fit right in.” And oh boy do they make the most of bassist Bryce Klueh’s arrival by getting more adventurous in their approach, mix it all up and you’ve got a high-octane dose of unadulterated rock and roll that covers love and loss, sin and redemption, hope and regret.

“A lot of these tunes deal with really personal things that have been on my mind for a while,” says Tapp. “I just had to live enough life and get enough experience under my belt to know how to talk about them, to know how to feel comfortable opening up those veins and sharing whatever came out.”

Track by track review:

“Nothing But The Blues” is the opener, an anthem wrestles with hard times in a down-and-out town, it’s killer with a repetitive riff that hooks you in, “I’m trying to leave, my car won’t start, I’ve got nothing but the blues”
‘Come for Me’ - the guitar playing on this is absolutely sublime.
‘The Joy’ is a bluesy ballad with a much softer sound, showcasing, the vocals and harmonies that refrain, “and you are the joy that eases the pain”
‘Lights out’ is a much heavier track, IMHO there is a complete masterclass in terms of drums, showing how to vary the pace mid track and this, combined with a heavier guitar, check out that solo! The harmonies make it a stand out.
‘Got no Right’ is a more upbeat, funky track that reminds me of The Kinks in musical style and is one of my favourites in the album so far.
‘Sorry I was Late’, is another poignant ballad and this starts me thinking about the choice of tracks and how interesting it is to slow the pace down right in the middle of the album.
‘Voices’, the title track, ”at the end of the day when the storm rolls away, your voice is still all that I hear”
‘Waiting for the Rain Again’, ”she bought a candle, not a flame”
‘Sinnerman’ This is a really cool, almost Tarantino-esq track (Pulp Fiction sprang to my mind) with a really cool heavy baseline setting the rhythm section to perfection
‘Throw that Stone’ is another ballad with female backing vocals adding contrast to the
‘It’s Heavy’ and it most certainly is, I’m blown away by this catchy infectious beat that is present throughout, pulling you in. This is another rhythm master class and then the guitar solo kicks in – wow! This is my favourite track of the album and I’ve not even heard all of it yet
‘Thinking About Leaving Again’ is next up and having just stated that the last track was my favourite, I then hear this – love, love, love it! This tracks takes the album to another level again, it’s clever, the riffs are sublime, it’s got everything.
‘Ghost’ the closing track of the album is a rather melancholy ballad channelling the redemptive fervour of a Sunday morning tent revival, which makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up. What a way to close what is a phenomenal album.

Stand out tracks: ’Got No Right’, ‘Lights Out’, ‘It’s Heavy’ and ‘Thinking About Leaving Again’

The change of tempo between bluesy rock and slower ballads makes for a really interesting listen, as the changing pace and musical structures vary so much. The lyrics are accomplished, the musicianship is superb, frankly the album is a masterclass from start to finish – don’t take my word for it , give it a listen!

5 Stars and added to my albums of 2023 list – this will feature heavily on my playlists. *****

Review by Karen Clayton

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)