Simon Rushworth
After having our tastebuds well and truly tickled at this summer’s Def Leppard/Whitesnake shows rushonrock is over the proverbial moon to announce Black Stone Cherry’s new long player is in our sweaty hands.
Yes, after wall to wall rotation of their billiant debut it’s about time those Kentucky kids came up with some brand new rawk. And in Folklore And Superstition (Roadrunner) the fantastic four have delivered a definitive metal statement.
Now you don’t need us to remind you that the Cherry embark on their first UK headline tour this winter with none other than rushonrock faves The Answer in tow. And you will already have tickets for their December 6 show at Newcastle’s Carling Academy in the bag.
But five months is a long time in rock. And between now and then Folklore And Superstition will have to satisfy those Southern Rock urges which eat away at the best of us. But we’re confident it will keep everyone – even our very own Self Made Man – on the straight and narrow.
“There is a mystique with folklore and superstition,” drummer John Fred Young told rushonrock. “We’re intrigued by and interested in history, roots and heritage and we incorporate that into the band.”
F&S is full of BSC’s trademark power but there’s no mistaking a more polished edge. Producer Bob Marlette has made a good band sound great and on so many levels this is not the predicted carbon copy of 2007’s self-titled debut – a killer record in its own right.
Classic Rock Magazine’s Best New Band have branched out to deliver a mature follow-up brimming with confidence and screaming quality. Here at rushonrock we already love the emotionally charged Things My Father Said but opener Blind Man leaves us in no doubt that BSC have lost none of their bravado.
Out on August 18, this raucous record will make a big impression on the rock charts and the boys could be huge by the time they tackle the Toon. Think Lynyrd Skynyrd on steroids or a Down album dominated by mellow moments and you’re halfway there.
rushonrock rated: 9/10 Will go down in Folklore.