Release Date: 2008
Genres: Post Grunge/Hard Rock
Number Of Tracks: 13
Armed with enough instruments to make a band and a bid label supporting their every action, Kentucky ’s Black Stone Cherry are back with album number two.
Folklore And Superstition
Reviewed by:
Nick-White, on september 05, 2008 3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: Kentucky rockers, "Black Stone Cherry", have returned with a follow up to there 2006 success with album number two entitled "Folklore and Superstition". The overall sound of this record is much more mature than that of the first, but still very "them". This album has ballads such as "Peace Is Free" & "Things My Father Said", and whilst some people are critisising this, I like it. It shows contrast, and prooves that they have a lot more tricks up there sleeves. As a unit they gell well, each song flows cleanly and there is a higher use of harmonic backing vocals then the first album. Granted, there are not as many cracking riffs as the first album, but there are a fair few - all of which (in my opinion) are awesome. Vocal melodies are memorable, and the way John Fred Young (drums) sits back on the riffs and slams into each new section forces you into moving to the music which is a briliant factor. The thing I like most about this album is, like a briefly mentioned earlier, despite experimenting with new concepts such as the ballads and chord based songs as opposed to riffs, they have still managed to maintain that Black Stone Cherry sound they formed on the first album. Great stuff. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics them selves are as good as the first, if not better. When read, they all reflect the title of the record very well. The subject of the lyrics suit this genre of music, and Chris Robertsons voice is like no other. The gravelly sound of his voice really works well with the music, and the way he glissandos between notes, and little blues-like falls and licks really give this band that edge. Chris' voice also performs well on the ballads, but maybe a little too overpowering at times. If I were to critise one thing about the singer, I would say work on the dynamic range. Apart from that - brilliant. // 8
Impression: Every band has there influences, BSC's being bands such as Led Zep & ACDC as an example. But there is something about this album, and BSC as a whole that sets them aside from anything else I have heard before. It's southern hard rock, and you can detect that after listening to songs like "The Key", & "Ghost Of Floyd Collins" but there is something else I can't quite put my finger on. But I would definatley say, for fans of bands like Led Zep, The Showdown (the Temptation Come My Way album, mainly), and generally riffy hard rock - this album is definatley worth checking out. The best songs, for me - would have to be "Blind Man", "Ghost Of Floyd Collins", "Things My Father Said" and "Long Sleeves". If this album were to be stolen - I would shake the thiefs hand, for having such great taste. Then ask for the album back! It is one of my favourite albums, check it out. These guys have got a lot more to give - so keep your eyes on them. // 10
Folklore And Superstition
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on october 16, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: This is Black Stone Cherry's second album and on it the band certainly have a more mature sound. They managed to rope in Bob Marlette to produce the album and his contribution is denfinitley audible. Now, I have to admit that at first I wasn't exactly pushed on the idea of a band's second album being based around a concept but it works pretty well and the concept and sound suit the band. The opening song "Blind Man" is quite like the song off their first album and as a single probably gives off the wrong impression of the album as a whole. The next track "Please Come In" goes in a completely different direction. The song is almost over-produced with backing vocals, different instruments and effects and it seems as though the band wrote the song as a type of overture for the rest of the album and as such is a bit all over the place with it's heavy riff not blending to well into the bridge and ballad-esque chorus.
"Reverend Wrikle" is has an almost undescribable rock/metal/folk sound to it and an epic chorus. "Soulcreek" is probably the weakest song on the album and seems a bit like the first BSC album by numbers.
Then comes thier first ballad. A lot of people and magazines have complained about the ballads and the amount of them on this album but "Things My Father Said" is an exellent first attempt.I read a review recently of this album and the reviewer claimed that on this song Chris Robertson sounds like Ronan Keating, and to be honest he does, on every track!! Chris Robertson is the Ronan Keating of the rock world! "The Bitter End" is an exellent brooding melodyolic almost metal song and anyone who's heard Marlette's work on Alice Cooper's Brutal Planet or Dragontown will be able to pick out the haunting backing vocals and distancing effects he uses here. "Long Sleves" and "Peace is Free" are two songs similar in theme and sound. They blend folky/revolution themes with classic hard rock. "Devil's Queen" would not have been out of place on BSC's first album but has an exellent ghost ship quality to it and although it is one of the albm's strongest songs it will probably be overshadowed by the rest of the album and be forgotten.
"The Key" is a great swap-rock style song and features a spooky hoe-down. "You" is the album's final ballad a features some playfull, if if not exactly incredibly impressive, use of instruments. "Sunrise" has the paced aggression of "The Bitter End" but has a bridge that borders regae.
The album comes to a crackling finish with "The Ghost of Folyd Collins" the story of a trapped miner. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on the album get a bit cheesy at times but never take it too far. The best lryics on the album are no doubt on "The Key" with a few song like "Devil's Queen", "Ghost of Flyod Collins" and admittedly "Things My Father Said" if only for the fact that they convey emotions very well. Chris Robertson's voice never faults on this album but is probably not as extravagant or powerfull as on "BSC" and it does suit the darker theme and songs on the album. One vocal aspect of the album htat dissapointed me was that although titled "Folklore and Superstition" on a good few song as story was suggested but never expanded on or developed. // 7
Impression: Although more mature, I don't think this album is as good as "BSC". My favorite songs on the album are "Blind Man" "Devil's Queen" "Sunrise" and "Ghost of Floyd Collins". Overall it's a good concept album but I'd prefer to see the next album as more rock'n'roll and Led Zepplin style than this. If you don't already have the first album (and like ACDC Led Zepplin Lynard Skynard or any classic rock style music) get that first. // 8
Folklore And Superstition
Reviewed by:
Lin, on august 25, 2008 1 of 14 people found this review helpful
Sound: Many among classic rock revivalists have been waiting with baited breath for Black Stone Cherry to follow up 2006's self titled debut, with the sense that this was a band on the verge of greatness. With a title like that you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a bonafide southern rock classic. Opener "Blind Man" may hit as hard as anything from the last record, but don't let that fool you; this is a very different affair. Once you get onto showpiece single "Please Come In," you realise that this is a band that has significantly changed it's direction. The song may have a catchy chorus and riff but somehow the two never quite gel. Once the new sound fails it leaves you with low expectations for the rest of the album. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Much of the impetus for this change has apparently come from frontman Chris Robertson. Other stinkers on this 13 track disk include “Things My Father Said,” “Peace Is Free” and “You.” After each the rest of the band does their best to recover the momentum by delivering a couple of swaggering rockers reminiscent of the first album but Robertson's repeatedly insists on adding the occasional cringy ballad every few songs, killing the momentum of the disc in it's cradle. As a lyricist he is far better when he's being obscure and conceptual (like on “Rain Wizard”) than he is with this kind of thing, which leaves him sounding worrying reminiscent of Creed's Scott Stapp. // 5
Impression: What fans want out of Black Stone Cherry is an album they can put on loud and leave playing without worrying about it. If you try to do that with “Folklore And Superstition” you will find yourself running back to the stereo to turn down the volume and skip songs. There are some good rockers to be found here, but Robertson's efforts to find the band a breakthrough single, though well intentioned, have ultimately failed. // 6
I LOVE this album, I think the solo on "You" more than makes up for the cheesy lyrics. It seems as this reviewer dislikes anything a band that does different. Shame really, it's a great album, and their missing out on a great deal of it.
Wow, I thought this was an outstanding album. The ballads showed they have matured and created a more unique and broader sound. They put their own twist on the usual soft ballads, I loved it. I'd give it an 8 at the lowest.
The ******* who did this review doesn't know their ass from their elbow. I thought the first album was great, but the new album is amazing. I hear a band who has grown and matured. I think every track on this album kicks ass. I remember reading interviews with the band when the first album came out and they would note Lynyrd Skynyrd,Zeppelin,The Stones, Aerosmith as influences and I couldn't really hear that in the first album, but with Folklore those influences really shine through. As a songwriter and musician myself, I think the songs are well written and arranged. I would put it up as one of the best albums of the year. Anyways, thats my two cents worth.
As much as I love this album, I feel that it's a 'stepping-stone', if you will, to a more impressive Cherry. This album is filled with great songs, yes, but the potential is even higher...
fantastic album, brought it the day it came out, and have been listening to it ever since, "blind man" is a fantastic song, and "things my father said" is up with the best songs they've done
ya man, i agree, but i think the reviews are comparing it to the first album, which i find MUCH better and harder than this album. that doesn't mean its a bad album though.
these guys are the next big thing. review sucks. it wont be long before black stone cherry is all we hear about. one of the best bands i've seen live. seen em twice. the only band better was alter bridge.
Looove BSC since i heard them the first time a few years ago... just heard the new cd and only complaint is not enough songs like Devils Queen and Blind Man. i was really hopin for more songs to be a il heavier and not so many ballady stuff... but this is progress guys and gals and you know their next album will just be even better =)
What a piss review! This album is great. Yes, I wanted more heavy, but their ballads are better than the ballads coming out, if you do it well, do it. These guys are so much fun to see, if you haven't, buy tickets now. you will not be disappointed.
the breath of fresh air that they bring to the music scene today is direly needed. they are inherently southern, but no one has managed yet to quite capture all of their influences like they have.
its good if a bit repetitive/one sided. Its not a massive departure from their old sound. Sure its polished, but next time I want to hear something new.
OMG!! I love this album. it was great. this album had it all. it had the power songs. it had its anthem(soulcreek). And it had some great balads(things my father said,and you). It was is a geat album.
For a hometown band and being friends with the guys in school, it's good to see they are having success. Their lyrics make a lot of sense to people around here (Ghost of Floyd Collins...there are Floyd Collins theatre shows EVERY 6 months it seems and tours of where he was trapped. Hence, people using it for monetary gain) and the song Things My Father Said... Must've been really hard for Chris to sing.
some of the lyrics are abit f***ed but songs are good musically. blind man is a good hard rock/grunge song and i wish there were more bands that could produce this kind of sound. most bands are S***.
I liked the album, but it was slightly underwhelming compared to their debut. I'd still give it a 7.5, Blind Man, Devil's Queen and The Key are great tracks, and I actually liked the ballad, Peace is Free a lot, although I'd rate the debut higher. I'm hoping to see them live in the near future, though
this album was terrible in my opinion. their debut was so amazing. i was greatly disappointed. blind man was good but then i found it over played. dont get me wrong there were 1 or 2 other decent songs but idk. just wasnt what i was expecting
Being From Hometown of these guys, I have gotten to see their home shows for the past 3 years. As well as the Folklore and Superstition Wal-Mart release concert, in which they did some acoustic performances. These guys are phenomenal. The new album is GOLD. It deserves a 7 out of 10 BARE MINIMUM. These guys are super cool and nice guys with a great style of playability.
every song on the cd is good
Im from Edmonson county, kentucky where mammoth cave is located so it was really cool when i put in the cd and heard the ghost of floyd collins i love that these guys stay so close to their roots
That thing that this reviewer can't put his finger on is soul. Not only vocally but instrumentally. This band plays with soul. Their music is an extension of themselves. It caries there emotion throughout. something that many bands lack nowadays
i thought the new album would go country and acoustic n be boring but it has just the badassness as the first and some more minty stuff in there, good job BSC
dude the guitarist really got better i thought his leads were a little redundant on the first album but i saw them with black label society a year or 2 ago it was a bad assed show
totenkopfSG wrote:
you reviewers have obviously never seen BSC live.
And there was me thinking I was reviewing an album, not a gig.
6.3 does not mean i think it's a bad album. That score should be considered average or mixed.
Now I know why no one tries writing objective reviews here; they just get shot down by fanboys. Hell, even UG themselves won't put a review on the front page unless it's all 8s, 9s and 10s.
It makes me wonder what the point of the reviews section is. It's not like anyone who has read more than 2 would consider it a good source for advice.
Hadnt actually heard these guys until i saw them at Download this year, and they ****ing blew me away. Immediately went and got this and the first album in the same shop on the same day. As for comparing them....i couldnt pick which one is best. Both are phenomenally good
I like this album, and the songs I like I like more than the songs I liked on the first album (if that makes sense) - but I do think there is some filler on this album - namely "You" and "Things my Father Said" whereas the first album was more consistant from start to finish...
totenkopfSG wrote:
you reviewers have obviously never seen BSC live.
And there was me thinking I was reviewing an album, not a gig.
6.3 does not mean i think it's a bad album. That score should be considered average or mixed.
Now I know why no one tries writing objective reviews here; they just get shot down by fanboys. Hell, even UG themselves won't put a review on the front page unless it's all 8s, 9s and 10s.
It makes me wonder what the point of the reviews section is. It's not like anyone who has read more than 2 would consider it a good source for advice.
Completely agree although i think it's a better album than reviewed.
LOL i think we can't all aggree on this one.... Its just diffrent the self titeld..... My favorite song is ''Sunrise'' dunno why ''Sunrise'' is just awesome so to all who havent listend to the whole thing yet youve got to check tht one out(toke away all my doubts about this album wich i had at first)
this album is awesome-dunno what 3rd review guy is talkin about-kudos though-everyone has their own opinion. although i agree that this album is in need of a few less balladish songs and more heavy rockers like on the first album, the heavey rockers on this album are much better kicking the ass of most of the stuff on the previous album (with exception to backwoods gold off the old album-which is one hell of an awesome song). the reggae bit in sunrise leaves me a bit like WAT??? (good song though) and soulcreek drifts in to averageness. the solos have improved though.
''Sunrise'' is just awesome so to all who havent listend to the whole thing yet youve got to check tht one out(toke away all my doubts about this album wich i had at first)