Review Summary: A solid debut from a southern rock band is quite seldom seen normally. BSC have managed to avoid becoming a statistic.
They've toured with some of the greatest names in rock: Black Label Society, Aerosmith, Nickelback, Shinedown...Zakk Wylde himself even said that BSC was one of the best new rock bands he'd heard in a long time. Who knew a few Kentucky boys could rock this hard right? I myself having met each of them personally, seen the live, and lived just down the road from them know what these guys are all about.
They arent your typical southern rock band, they play a style that tinges on hard rock but still manage to remain southern. I wouldn't nessesarily call their sound NEW since they sound quite similar to
Black Label Society and some of Ozzy's new stuff. Their sound has potential to become quite mainstream once they get a bit more well known which is rare considering the fact they are pretty gritty for a southern rock band. The members (Christ Robertson - Lead Vox/Guitar) (Ben Wells - Backing Vox/Rhthym Guitar) (Jon Lawhon - Bass) (John Fred Young - Drums) are all quite talented especially John Fred who happens to be one of the best drummers i've ever met personally. He tears his kit UP! They may be young but don't underestimate them a bit.
Here is my track by track:
Rain Wizard (5/5): A very ominous opener begining with John Fred Young playing quite a clever drum progression along with a freaky guitar riff that seems perfect for this song. The verse and chorus are both pure genious flowing well together and transitioning perfectly. The solo is nothing extraordinary but it is just right for this song. The drums in this song are BAD ASS from start to finish!! Chris's vocal work in this is probably the best heavy song he's done on the album. Best single they've released yet and possibly the best this album has to offer.
Backwoods Gold (4/5): Another solid track. Never gets old. This song is a perfect example of the band's blend between southern and hard rock. Probably not as radio friendly as some of the others but another one of this disc's highlights.
Lonely Train (3/5): This was the 1st song I heard by these guys for a long time before this record came out and I was immediately turned off to them. If you hear this on the radio dont let it fool you. They're not as bad as this song makes them seem! This song is one of the few they wrote that lack lyrical sense and its almost laughable when you're listening to it. Why they'd release this as their 1st single beats the hell outta me but its really bad...it could be worse and its not really a horrible song its just not all that well written...I like it but only to a certain extent and it stands above a few other weaker tracks on the album.
Maybe Someday (4/5): Clever song. Well written. Its about how they'd love to have a relationship...but it'd have to wait until their career in rock has ended. Chris did a really good job writing this and he sings it with melody and grittiness at the same time. Its catchy and it wouldnt surprise me a bit of they released this as a single.
When the Weight Comes Down (2/5): Boring, didnt care much for this one. Nothing to fancy here and nothing really worth re-listening too.
Crosstown Woman (3/5): This song was up on the band's Myspace page before they put the record out. Again I thought: "Well this is ok but I don't think i'll ever really get into these guys that much if they're putting songs like these out". It's better than Lonely Train and the drums again are outstanding.
Shooting Star (5/5): I couldn't believe they put out Lonely Train and Hell and High Water over Maybe Someday and Shooting Star...I mean this song would've made such a kick-ass single!! It begins with some nice distorted guitar and then a heavy follow through. The verse begins calmly and then picks up about mid-way through into an epic wall of ferocious rock n' roll. The chorus isint as exciting as the verse but it flows well with the rest of the song.
Hell and High Water (4/5): Slower song, great message, the vox are kind've lame when he's like: (In the morning when the rooster crows...pack your bags and get ready to go) I was kind've like wtf...but this song brings in more of a bluesy sound and it kind've reminds a bit of Kenny Wayne Shepperd. The ending is pretty clever also. This one is for the ladies...
Shapes of Things (3/5): This (as you may already know) is a cover of an old Yardbirds tune and it kind've modernizes it and makes it heavy. No need to spend a whole lot of time with this one. If you're a fan of the Yardbirds then you'll enjoy this and they do a pretty good job of doing it justice.
Violator Girl (4/5): Violator Girl (which was originally intended to be titled something along the lines of "Sissy Whinny Bitch") is quite geniously written both vocally, and riff-wise. These guys do some serious rocking on this song. Its one of my favs and I was dissapointed when they didn't play it live. I love it...almost gave it a 5 but I dont think it really stands on the same level as some of their other fives.
Tired of the Rain (3/5): Some of the best guitar work on the record, with a choppy riff and a bluesy solo. Also includes the use of a B3 organ by a guy named Reece Wynans. Pretty cool...
Drive (3/5): Melodic and quite southern this song talks typically of a kid in the south's dreams...girls and cars. It took me awhile to warm up to this one but I've come to really enjoy this one and Robertson's vox really make this track a hit home.
Rollin' On (3/5): Another ballad...also our final song. The opening bass line really brings out Jon Lawhon's skills stand alone. John Fred backs him up with some cool snare/bass licks. This song is the perfect track to end with because it completely sums everything up. The vox are very well thought up and written and everything just kind've comes to together here...its cool...very cool...
These guys have soooo much potential and they're such great guys. I'll be excited to see what they do these next few years and who knows...they could be the plunge we need for a little diversity in our Post-Grunge era that we've fallen into. Not that it is a bad thing but isint about time for something a bit more...unique...pick this up guys you wont regret it!
