Black Stone Cherry- Magic Mountain


BSC Magic Mountain

As ascents go, that of Black Stone Cherry to a major rock band has been a quiet and seemingly almost sudden one. Without huge amounts of press from some circles, these Southern rockers have steadily risen to recently announcing UK arena shows including the prestigious Wembley Arena; and achieving high (for a rock album) UK album charting on this, only their fourth album.

Often unfairly lumped with (likely for ease and laziness) with the over sanitised, lacking in substance hordes of post grunge arena rock Nickelback clones, Black Stone Cherry have always had a greater affinity with the grittier, classic periods of rock. Magic Mountain (Roadrunner) is evidence of this, harking back to their debut album with greater focus on faster paced, beefier songs and cutting hugely cutting down on the overly sugary ballads. The likes of ‘Bad Luck And Hard Love’ and lead single ‘Me And Mary Jane’ show that these still young lads are amongst the elite for writing good old fashioned rock songs that will have you tapping your feet away.

Production wise this has clarity and sheen without being completely sterilised, and still with a little dirt under its nails like the old greats they clearly hold in high esteem. It still has some hiccups along the way however; mostly losing momentum when the pace slows. ‘Runaway’ is nothing but the obligatory ballad whilst the over sentimental ‘Hollywood In Kentucky’ should prove too cringe worthy for most.

Black Stone Cherry were hardly going to venture into avant-garde territory, but Magic Mountain just shows what these guys are good at, and that is making music which is the perfect companion to the sunny festival season as you roar along with a pint in hand.

7 / 10

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CHRIS TIPPELL