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"“The Southern” goes beyond confirmation for The Cold Stares and establishes itself as a work as indispensable as it is captivating, a veritable voyage of initiation through the music of the American South."
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4/5
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After thirteen years as a duo, Chris Tapp and Brian Mullins decided to add a bassist in Bryce Klueh. If the latter's contribution was already felt on the 2022 album “Voices”, the newcomer, entitled “The Southern”, must confirm all the good things the community thinks of the trio now under the wing of Joe Bonamassa. As the title of this opus suggests, The Cold Stares aim to cover a wide range of facets of music from the American South, the term southern-rock encompassing multiple influences.
To this end, the depth provided by the bass is a considerable asset, reinforcing the intensity of compositions that exude authenticity in every note. It has to be said that the Indiana outfit is not lacking in talent, which enables it to go from a big riff on the borders of hard-rock ('Horse To Water') to a southern-folk track carried by the dobro without losing coherence. Indeed, it is this perfect balance between variety and homogeneity that is most striking about “The Southern”. Whatever the style, it's always bathed in dazzling sunshine and pervasive emotion.
It's impossible to name every gem in this collection, which uncovers its treasures with every listen, but we'd like to mention 'Looking For A Fight', which plays on the polarization of calm and bouncy, energetic passages to reflect the current American political situation. For its part, 'Blow Wind Blow' plays on the duality adorning itself with an effluence worthy of Gov't Mule. The instrumental jam launched halfway through the psychedelic rock-blues 'Confession' has the effect of a tornado sweeping everything in its path, while the acoustics of the aptly named 'Level Floor Blues' and 'Mortality Blues' make these tracks as bewitching as they are organic. The latter, moreover, is endowed with highly personal lyrics relating to Chris Tapp's struggle against cancer.
“The Southern” is more than just a confirmation for The Cold Stares. It stands out as a work as indispensable as it is captivating. A veritable voyage of initiation through the music of the southern states of the USA, it engraves its landscapes in the heart as much as in the memory. Adventurous within tradition, this is an opus destined to leave a lasting mark on rock music, particularly that from the Confederate States, while at the same time leaving a deep impression on each and every listener. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Horse To Water - 4:00
02. Coming Home - 3:09
 03. Looking For A Fight - 3:23
04. Blow Wind Blow - 3:28
05. Confession - 5:26
06. Level Floor Blues - 4:04
07. Seven Ways To Sundown - 3:53
08. No Love In The City Anymore - 3:25
09. Giving It Up - 3:09
10. Woman - 4:06
11. Mortality Blues - 3:15
LINEUP:
Brian Mullins: Batterie
Bryce Klueh: Basse
Chris Tapp: Chant / Guitares
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