Stolen Hearts - Dirty Southern Soul - New Release Review

With it's "get after it" rock beat, Stolen Hearts opens their newest release, Dirty Southern Soul with The Dream, a radio style rocker featuring Pam Taylor on lead vocal and Eric Lovell laying down guitar riffs and Rick Blacwell on bass. Carolina Days, another rocker, this time with Robert Johnson Jr. on lead vocal, backed by Taylor has a John Cougar casualness about it. Do You No Harm has a homier feel with a slight taste of country mixed into the stew. A catchy hook and smooth backing vocals, with acoustic guitar rhythm makes this track an automatic cross radio track. Bluesy, All I Got Left, has a Tampa Red feel and strong lead vocals from Taylor. With Mike Taylor on sax, Kyle Phillips on guitar, Rusty Gilbreath on bass, and LA Freeman on drums, this track is real nice. Jazzy, Werewolves, has a touch of fuzz and a touch of funk giving it a really interesting texture. With Jason Atkins on keys, Andrew Marcadis on drums and Johnson laying down some real nice guitar riffs, this track is clearly influenced by early rock. Very cool! Bring Your Love is an easy paced rocker with a solid cushion of keys from JoJo Star and solid lead acoustic guitar and vocal by Johnson. Taylor shows the clarity of her voice on pop track, My Johnny, a Stevie Nicks like melody, with Joe Miller on guitar, Johnson on mandolin and Taylor on guitar. C'Mon Baby (I Got Your Shoes) has a distinct R&B feel but kept on a light acoustic style not unlike the Rascals. With Johnson on lead vocal and only a minimum of backing vocal, guitar and percussion, this is a real nice track. Ain't No Man has a more country rock feel,not unlike Steven Stills. Maintaining it's light country influence with mandolin and percussion on a rock platform, this track is solid. Boy They Gonna Own Ya has a real nice southern rock swagger but never crosses over into the triple guitar solo lead but instead into slide guitar and harmonica. Very cool. Already Alright is a soulful track featuring Taylor on lead vocal. With only the most basic of self acoustic guitar accompaniment, this is possibly the strongest track on the release. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind. Mike Taylor opens the door wide with a beefy sax solo riding on solid spiritual styled B3 by James Pace. Taylor does a really nice job on what may be considered one of the all time classics of soul music. With Johnson on guitar and Rome Leach really stating the truth on drums, this track is tight and moving. A very nice close to a solid release.

   

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