It’s time to explore another band who’ve been kicking around for a decade but who have only come to my attention recently. The Cold Stares have added a third member bassist Bryce Klueh to join guitarist / vocalist Chris Tapp and drummer Brian Mullins, and on their latest album The Southern, they bring a pleasing mix of styles that are all steeped in the rich Blues Rock that sees the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Larkin Poe, Rival Sons and many more call home.
A Classic Rock album of the year with previous release Voices in 2023, The Cold Stares bring gritty lyrics, heartfelt playing and deep soulful passion; there’s little not to like here. Even if you aren’t a fan of the groove that The Cold Stares bring, it’s hard to stop the feet tapping along to Looking for a Fight, appreciate the smouldering burn of Blow Wind Blow or the firecracker guitar work on Confession. Combing the vintage sounds of legends of the past with the contemporary sounds of the modern, The Southern is a slow burner which improves on every listen. There’s a definite Hendrix feel to Confession, but that isn’t going to be a bad thing in my book. Simple is often the best, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible, for the laid-back approach belies no little skill or quality that seeps through the 41-minutes that are laid before you here in 11 tracks.
The band are on tour in the UK at the moment, sadly not close enough for me to get along to enjoy what will no doubt be a sensational evening, but if you can’t get there, then make sure on 6th September you catch The Southern in all its glory, and enjoy a superbly crafted album from a trio of very talented musicians who are clearly going places.
The Southern is released on 6th September via Mascot Records
Review by Hutch
Photo credit: Alex Morgan Imaging
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