The Cold Stares “The Southern Part II” (LP)

The Cold Stares return with The Southern Part II, which equals or even better’s its counterpart, The Southern. Originally from Kentucky, they became a power trio before making these two albums which find them exploring their southern roots, apart from already being a blues-rock band not far removed from the same sound. They just play it straight forward southern rock on these two albums, sticking to that as a theme, and the results of both albums come out with flying colors, because they’re completely cut out for it. The Southern Part II is full of classic rock appeal with a strong blues feel, weaved into southern fried rock, sounding like all the greats of the past.

URL: https://www.thecoldstares.com/

Now consisting of Chris Tapp on guitar and vocals, Bryce Klueh on bass and Brian Mullins on drums, The Southern Part II kicks off with “Little More Rope” which clearly pays respects to “Gallows Pole” and even reminds of Led Zeppelin in more ways than their version of that song, as Tapp throws out some obvious references in the lyrics and some cool guitar bits including the solo. But not all the songs follow the same pattern, as their own identifiable sounds comes through on “Automobile” and others.

“Evil Eye” gets back to the roots and the influences shine on this traditional southern blues rocker with all the makings of anything from Foghat to Bad Company’s takes on southern rock stylings. This song has that big sound The Cold Stares (and Chris Tapp solo) are well known for, if not a little too short for its overall sweetness. “Hard To See” is next, and it’s the first straight forward southern rock song, sticking faithfully to the script and delivering one of the most original sounding tracks on the album, which contains a lot of songs to compete with.

The ballad “Hurting Side Of Love” shows more of the original side of The Cold Stares, with a blend of their blues-rock and southern rock keeping the track together with all the right ingredients and Chris Tapp at his soulful best. “Last Time You Let Me Down” is a romp somewhere between blues-rock and southern rock, with a shuffle anyone can enjoy, and probably most reminiscent of the boogie side of bands like ZZ Top.

“Last Time You Let Me Down” is another boogie shuffle in the same tradition as the former, which play well together in succession. “Can’t Call That Love” is another smooth ballad with more of a mainstream southern rock vibe, and a swampy guitar from Tapp, which is where a lot of the southern rock stands here. “Hard To See” is a heavier southern rock tune, and “Ransom” evens it out by way of more of the same. “Change Her Mind Again” picks up the pace, even though it also reminds of ZZ Top, but with more of a metal edge. “The neighborhood” explores the dangers of the hood, and “Mighty High” is the note they take this killer album out with.

Mark Druery