PREACHER STONE - review added 16th December 2010
Album Review: Uncle Buck's Vittles (2010)
For fans of: Southern Rock... and nice food
Preacher Stone - for this album Ronnie Riddle on vocals, Marty Hill on guitar and Dobro, Josh Sanders on bass, and Brent Enman on drums - are back with 'Uncle Buck's Vittles' for their second release, following 2009's self-titled debut. For those who are intrigued, the title is a reference to the food served at the band's favourite eating hole; "Uncle Buck's All American Bar And Grill". If you want to get some free food, naming your album after the place has got to be a good approach! :)
The LP, recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina at Gat 3 Studios with double Grammy Award winning engineer Glenn Tabor, is a more professional sounding effort this time round. Where the first album traded on it's performances and excellent lyrical content, this time Preacher Stone have the full package - the finished quality matches the creative input.
The sound is still focused in the Southern U.S. rock genre, taking cues from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and so on. Preacher Stone are undoubtedly one of the best of the breed out there at present - maybe not quite matching the best of the 1970s but, as far as 2010 is concerned, this is right up there.
Good:
The production, in fact the overall sound is very charismatic. It's all very polished - much more than the first one - but it's still like being there in the smoky bar listening to the guys telling the stories of their lives. Preacher Stone write fine lyrics. There's nothing up to the standard of the awesome 'Old Fashioned Ass Whoopin Sum Bitch' from the debut, but the standard is still remarkably high.
The performances on UBV, especially those of vocalist Ronnie, and beautifully evocative.
Not So Good:
Although this is a consistently excellent album, I'm not sure any of the individual tracks are as off-the-scale-massive as the best from last time. The cover art, just like first time out, totally undersells the quality of the music. Oh, and why are these guys not signed? They are tonnes better than many acts paraded by big labels.
The Songs:
Take your pick. There isn't a duffer on the album. 'Judge Me Not' is my favourite, but different listeners will find different moments of glory.
In Summation:
Another great release from these Southern rockers. Let's hope they make it 3 out of 3 next year.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall:
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Can't keep a Good Man Down
02. Carved In Stone
03. Come on In
04. Early Morning Rise
05. Nuff Said
06. Hand On The Bible
07. I'll Be Damned
08. Save My Soul
09. Don't Take Me With You When You're Gone
10. Judge Me Not
11. Come Together (Originally by The Beatles)
Artist's website(s): Preacher Stone | MySpace | Facebook
