Mascot Records artist: The Cold Stares - Voices - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Voices, from The Cold Stares, and it's a cool straight up rocker. Opening with Nothing But The Blues, Chris Tapp on lead vocal and guitar, Brian Mullins on drums and Bryce Klueh on bass blow the doors open with an explosive sound. With a driving bottom and flaring guitars, this is a potent opener.  Lights Out has a funky, rocky beat along the lines of James Gang's Funk 49. With a cool balance of guitar/bass/drum rhythm and vocal work, this track is cool with strong lead guitar riffs in the ether. Sinnerman has an interesting rhythm that grows on you. With a solid drum/bass rhythm and Tapp's vocals, leading up to a strong guitar explosion, this is a cool track. Wrapping the release is acoustic ballad, The Ghost, featuring Tapp on vocal and acoustic guitar and only a hint of bass. A solid composition, this is a cool closer for a cool release. 

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Mascot Records artist: The Georgia Thunderbolts - Can We Get A Witness - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Can We Get A Witness, from The Georgia Thunderbolts and it's a southern flavored rocker with plenty of swagger. Opening with Take it Slow, lead singer T.J. Lyle hits the road running with solid harmonica lead and a powerful voice. Backed by Zach Everett on bass and keys and Bristol Perry on drums and the grinding guitar work of Riley Couzzourt and Logan Tolbert this track has punch. One of my favorites on the release is Lend A Hand with it's firm footed attack and vocal attitude. The hard drum slam and solid vocal backing works really well with the aggressive guitar work of Couzzourt and Tolbert. A modern remake of the Allman's Midnight Rider really works the vocal pairing of Lyle and Everett with a heavier, more "rock guitar" feel. Another track with a heavy bottom is Half Glass Woman. Perry really sets the pace on this one with overdriven lead guitar, cool slide by Couzzourt and a strong harp line on top. With a potent guitar riff to carry the theme, title track, Can I Get A Witness seems the best candidate for radio track with it's strong guitar front line and classic rock style vocal delivery and some nice pyrotechnics accenting the overall feel. Another radio style track is It's Alright with it's solid melody and straight up rock approach and vocal pairing of Lyle and Everett. Twin lead guitar soloing and grinding rhythm is the ticket. Wrapping the release is Set Me Free, with it's bluesy back beat and cool melody. This track could have been taken from the Paul Rogerss songbook with it's understated bluesy melody and pure vocals. Solid closer.  

 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Mascot Records artist: The Cold Stares - Heavy Shoes - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy Shoes, from The Cold Stares, and it's a solid hard rocker. Opening with heavy bottomed, Heavy Shoes, and it's as solid a rocker as you'll hear. With it's crisp drum snap by Brian Mullins and growly guitar line and vocal by Chris Tapp it's a solid opener. 40 Dead Men kicks up the pace but the dark, heavy vibe is ever present and cool. It's hard to believe that all of this sound is coming from 2 guys. Hard Times is another solid track with a strong guitar vamp and heavy drums. Strange Light is a more Zep like rocker with a great lead drum focus. Tapp's guitar isn't really flashy, staying primarily on the lower frets but this is some powerful stuff. He breaks loose on lead guitar but again, not running up the fretboard to deliver his lead. Very cool. Prosecution Blues is heavy and lumbering but right down the middle of the blues highway. Delivery is still fat and driven... a really nice approach. Mullins really works the drum kit and Tapp thins out his tone a bit with screaming attack. It's A Game flips over to a funky, James Brown rhythm with Mullins driving the train and Tapp playing great accent riffs against his own vocal. These guys have that two man formula down to a real science. Another track with that special, Bonham, type rhythm is Election Blues. Don't get me wrong..at no time does this band sound like Zep but the hot drum attack works really well with Tapp's aggressive vocal style and underplayed guitar work. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Dust In My Hands turns back to the more metal driven, harder work of the beginning of the release with a dark bottom, tight drums and Tapp's soaring guitar soloing and vocal styling gives this track a good weight for a closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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