Gibsons propped on Marshalls….
Released on Lions Pride Music and reviewed by Gary Cordwell
West Virginia 4-piece Stone Machine are a woefully unknown band. Previously on the excellent Grooveyard label they have now found a new home with Lions Pride who have released ’10 Stones’, a kind of greatest hits…so far. A primer for new fans, it contains 8 tracks cherry picked from their three studio albums plus two new songs – ‘Use You Up’ and ‘Slow Down’.
Minimalist, soulful, twin Gibson retro classic blues rock is very much on the menu. These songs, all penned by guitarist and secret weapon Dirk Blevins are what make this band so special. Evocative without being derivative (which is a rare skill) these songs rock, roll, groove and fly.
It’s hard to pick a favourite among these gems but anything from their stunning, self-titled debut has to be a fairly safe bet – from the low-down slink of ‘Down South Mama’ to the epic ‘Rain Song’isms of ‘Queen Without A Crown’. Quite why this band isn’t bigger is a mystery. Free, Bad Company, Cry Of Love – that’s what we’re talking here and they more than hold their own amongst such esteemed company. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for album number four. Check this out, wonder why you haven’t heard them before and then dig out (and dig) their debut. Highly recommended.
8 out of 10
Track list:
- Use You Up
- Dirty Sweet
- Down South Mama
- Better Days
- Long Road
- Slow Down
- Rock Ain’t Dead
- Corn Bread
- Mr. Blues
- Queen Without A Crown
