Russell HughesStone Sour – Hydrograd (Roadrunner Records)
Genre: Hard Rock
From the ‘come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough’ opening line of ‘hello you bastards’ right to final song Mercy, Stone Sour have crafted a perfect rock album that blends sounds and crosses borders with an ease that would infuriate anti-globalists everywhere.
It may have been four years since the Corey Taylor fronted noise makers last released a record, but the fluidity of Hydrograd shows a group of musicians who haven’t let their skills go rusty over such a long time period. Indeed, it feels like Stone Sour have never been away with the ease that they launch straight into Taipei Person – Allah Tea.
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To put this record into one genre would be an impossible task. They way Taylor and his crew flit between different sounds, paces and styles is an absolute masterpiece – while the lyrics show someone at the top of their creative game.
From the tongue in cheek ‘it’s only rock ‘n roll but I like it’ on barnstormer Fabuless to the laid back chorus on Rose Red Violent Blue (This Song Is Dumb & So Am I), the writing process is as spot on as the musicianship – which is more than good enough to carry on the album on its own.
Aside from Fabuless, there are plenty more examples of hard rock done right. Song #3 might take a softer side to the genre but once again Taylor’s vocal are near perfect, they’re razor sharp but with an edge that says prince in the streets, pauper in the sheets.
There might not be any Road Hogs style face melting aggression on this album but that doesn’t retract from the quality of it in any way. This is a record for any and all types of rock lovers and one that should join Foo Fighters and Slipknot fans in merry harmony.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 10/10 Stone cold classic
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