Stonebreed - Heart Of Stone
Rock Avenue Records USA
http://www.stonebreed.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RockAvenueRecordsUSA

Rating: B+

Very recently, our fearless leader Jeb Wright reviewed a new acoustic live album by an aging rock star (Frodo - Live At Hobbit High, I think it was). In it he asked the question "What the bleep has happened to rock and roll?"

It was then and there that I realized it was time to clue him (and you, dear reader) into the answer to that question which is, Stone-Fucking-Breed. Yes, I used the 'F' word. That's rock and roll and so is Stonebreed.

Based in Los Angeles, Stonebreed are a ubiquitous live fixture at legendary venues like the Viper Room and The Whiskey A Go Go where they've headlined and supported acts like Ratt, Bulletboys, Uli Jon Roth, LA Guns, Michael Schenker, UFO, Great White and host of others.

Promoting their latest album Heart Of Stone, the boys have been traveling the country playing gigs in Mississippi (where world class guitarist Brandon Paul also held a guitar clinic at Guitar Center), Missouri, Nebraska and Utah.

Heart of Stone is Stonebreed's second long-player but the first to feature the current and most potent lineup consisting of founding singer Carlos Cruz, guitar maestro Brandon Paul (who is singlehandedly blowing away the band's previous twin guitar attack), Bassist/musicologist Johnny Zell and drummer/actor Orion Rainz.

To say this unit clicks is an understatement. This album rocks with authority from the first of ten originals "The Highway" through a closing kick-ass rendition of "Train Train".  Each track is a clinic on hard rock melodicism, compositional dynamics, inspired use of tone, lock-step bottomism and unbridled confidence.

Pardon the cliche's but Brandon Paul is possessed of MONSTER chops. He is a SHRED-MEISTER, a GOD OF THE SIX STRING, but he is more than that. He is incredibly versatile, melodic and obviously heavily musically trained when it comes to composition, dynamics and note choice.

It is small wonder that Brandon is a sought after instructor, providing Skype lessons for budding guitarists of all ages across the world, and his Tuesday night Facebook Live jams pull hundreds of viewers weekly.

Carlos Cruz wears his heart on his sleeve singing songs about the hard life with a gruff, knowing, southern rock tinged delivery that brings nothing but rock and roll authenticity.

The rhythm section of Johnny Zell and Orion Rainz make sure it all works. They lay down a bedrock that allows Brandon to do his thing without fear of ever sounding thin, but they can also get busy like they do in one of the album's best tunes "Pain".

I highly recommend checking this album out. Songs like "Faded Memories", the aforementioned "Pain" and "The Highway", along with the fine ballad "Except Me" and scary rippers like "Take Me" and "Living This Way" are radio friendly and perfectly crafted.

The album is docked half a letter grade for a couple of unfortunate lyrics ("She was born on the wrong side of the tracks..." (ugh), "She goes down you'd swear you was in heaven...(quadruple ugh), but hey, what's rock and roll without a cliche' mixed with a little misogyny?

Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Stone-Stonebreed/dp/B076Q4JV8T

Track listing:
The Highway
Faded Memories
Pain
Jet City
Except Me
Fool Again
Take Me
Salvation
Living This Way
Tonight
Train, Train

By Eric Sandberg