American Dream
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The California singer-songwriter Robert Stoner is joined by his long running musical partner and producer Ben Bernstein for these timeless 12 folk songs.
The cozy mood of “The Lady Spoke” opens with Bernstein’s warm keys amid Stoner’s expressive and poetic singing in a very dreamy climate, and “Don’t Know What I Know” follows with Stoner’s meticulous guitar radiating much melody alongside bright storytelling.
Moving into the middle, “Silent Message” welcomes Lily Stoner’s well placed backing vocals via the emotive landscape, while “Walk On Down” benefits from Bernstein’s crisp drumming as a retro folk-rock spirit enters.
“Long Way Down” and “Left For Dead” exit the listen. The former carries a hint of mystery that suits the harmony vocals, and the latter showcases Stoner’s eloquent pipes that are met with soft gestures.
A highly relevant and relatable effort that can occasionally get into more firm areas of rock, Stoner has a PHD in economics, but that doesn’t enter his insightful observations on life, politics and relationships.
Travels well with: Fox Run Five- Holding Out Hope; Ryan David Green- Off And Running