Black Stone Cherry : "Screamin At the Sky "

 

This Kentucky band has put out some worthwhile music, however, they also tend to fall into a weird middle ground that lumps them in with the hair metal bands that were trying to find themselves amid the grunge boom. A band like Saigon Kick comes to mind when I think of this era. A song like "Nervous" would have made it on the radio in a different place in time. It's hooky and well layered, they are clearly good at this brand of rock anthem. 

"When the Pain Comes" could be any radio rock and feels like a song where they have sold their identity down the river. The guitar solos are great, but that does not make a song worth listening to. "Out of Pocket" has more punch to it, though the lyrics are dumb. "Show Me What It Feels Like" is like a nu-metal radio moment, with a bit more soul. The riff to "ROAR" reminds me a little of the Scorpions. The country inflection in his voice is the only thing retaining their sense of self. 

I guess it makes sense why I do not review a great deal of mainstream rock, as it bores me. There is a decent hook to "Smile World", but nothing distinct about it. " the Mess You Made " works better than "Who Arew You Today' , I imagine that if Sevendust, made a pop country album it would sound like this. "Not Afraid" makes more of an effort to rock, but the riffs are not memorable, and their hearts are more invested in the kind of anthems that close out the album. I will give this a 7, well produced and played, but boring radio rock at its core. They need to smoke more weed.