Black Stone Cherry
Folklore And Superstition
Roadrunner Records
by Hugh Platt
‘Kentucky rockers’ are the first two words on the press blurb that comes with Folklore And Superstition. Kentucky is where Jack Daniel’s comes from – where could be more rock’n’roll than that?
This should be music that sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a bar-room brawl between tobacco farm workers, whacked out from knocking back too much sippin’ whiskey from dirty glasses.
Given the meaty whack of guitar that album opener ‘Blind Man’ delivers, and the Pearl Jam-twang of frontman Chris Robertson’s vocals, this almost, almost seems like a possibility.
But instead we get the rock’n’roll equivalent of a bit of slap’n’tickle. For every track of gorgon riffs guitarist Ben Wells must’ve recorded with his head thrown back in a lupine howl, one foot firmly planted on a monitor amp, there’s a wet lisp of a power ballad to follow, leaving you feeling damp in all the places you don’t want to be.
The title of ‘Things My Father Said’ should be enough to warn you of its mawkish contents; lyrical treats such as “Somewhere there’s a star that’s shining / so bright that I can see you smile / and all that I need is one last chance / to hear you say goodbye…goodbye…” extinguishes any spark of doubt.
It’s worse than when Aerosmith decided to sober up.
Watch the video to ‘Lonely Train’ from Black Stone Cherry’s debut album
Black Stone Cherry still have enough low-slung guitar hooks to salvage Folklore And Superstition from complete metal obsolescence. Jerry Cantrell himself would be proud with ‘Long Sleeves’, its six-string chug positively cavernous.
‘Devil’s Queen’ is the bratty younger brother of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Nightrain’, lacking the true outlaw attitude of its elder sibling, but still wallowing in the same middle-finger virtues.
It’s just a shame they sandwiched tracks like these in with such drippy bilge.
2.5/6
Folklore And Superstition by Black Stone Cherry is out on 18 August 2008 through Roadrunner Records
13 responses so far ↓
1 Tim // Jul 31, 2008 at 5:59 am
Worst review ever. Whoever wrote this must be PMSing at the moment…
2 Hedges Benson // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:06 pm
BSC are great. This review is shit.
3 Super Fishle // Jul 31, 2008 at 7:39 pm
They are definately the ugliest band i’ve seen in a long while.
4 ravstar // Aug 1, 2008 at 10:40 am
I thought it was funny, and better than thise articles like yeah not good not bad but i dont like it.
5 Zuker1864 // Aug 9, 2008 at 5:18 am
Ok, I agree with all of you that Blackstone is badass. I’d even go so far as to say they may be one of the only rock bands out there right now badass enough to wade through the swamp of “rock’n'roll” mediocrity we’re constantly subjected to by the radio and finally set some new standards for the hard rock scene.
However my opinion of them was formed by their debut album, NOT this one, and it’s quite possible that a band’s sophomore effort can be MUCH shittier than the first. Some bands are just one (album) wonders. They make an awesome record and simply fade away. Hopefully this isn’t the case with our beloved BSC, but I won’t denounce a review until I’ve actually HEARD the album. Considering it hasn’t even dropped yet I suggest you mooks do the same.
6 racerXgirl // Aug 11, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Having heard four of the new songs live on on Friday night, August 8, 2008 at the Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan…I can definitively say that this review is a joke. I cannot wait for the album to drop to buy it. The vocals and musicianship of these four guys is truly amazing! As for the “power ballads” comment these guys can truly harmonize and sing unlike many of the bands out there today. Don’t hate them for that. Having heard tons of bands live, BSC is hands down the best live show I have attended. I am truly sorry that their talents are being reduced to a play on words by a critic who can name drop, but does not appreciate the creativity that is shown by these young southern rockers! Visit the website and catch them live if they are coming to a venue nearby…you will not regret it.
7 Mike B // Aug 14, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I would like to say that this person that reviewed this album is a joke… I’ve listened to the entire album 3 or 4 times through now on NME as well as my faves from this album. He/she doesn’t mention many of the tracks first of all…. so I don’t take this article for much… If you are a fan of hard rock you will want this album. Songs like Please Come In, You, and Ghost of Floyd Collins show a broad range of flavor while all still maintaining the style of Black Stone Cherry that we all know and love. Then of course there is Blind Man, but if you have listened to BSC lately you have heard this song many times. I can see these guys being mentioned in the same breathe as many rock greats in the next decade if they keep it coming. THIS IS NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP! Black Stone Cherry is the real deal! And for anyone who has seen them live at a smaller venue, you know it couldn’t have happened to a better group of young musicians. August 19th, go out and buy Folklore and Superstition!
8 alex // Aug 16, 2008 at 12:36 am
makes me sick that people as ignorant as this are allowed to review albums.
just like everyone else, i think this review is a complete an utter joke.
the album is fantastic.
9 Michael // Aug 18, 2008 at 2:59 pm
thats bollocks!! listening to the album now and it RAWKS!!!!
10 J_C // Aug 19, 2008 at 5:25 am
Just so you know, Jack Daniels is from Tennessee. Kentucky is the home of the Kentucky Derby, Bourbon, and Black Stone Cherry.
11 JCR // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:59 am
What a dumbass! Jack Daniels comes from Lynchburg, TN. BSC does kickass, though.
12 SatanWC // Aug 26, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Who wrote this review!? What a muppet! JD from Kentucky!? Why didn’t he play it safe and go with Kentucky Fried Chicken!? lol Clue’s in the name dude!!
Plus, BSC are AWESOME!!! With so many bands completely forgetting how to play Guitar Solo’s (and the guitar in general) in 2008, it’s SO good to have BSC back!!
13 aejjtd // Sep 18, 2008 at 9:04 pm
how can you rate this low…just cos u dont like it doesnt mean u shud giv it al ow rating. Its considered at proper rock. Its wot every1 shud be listening to!!!
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