Voices
Mascot, 2023
8/10
The Indiana blues rockers The Cold Stares, i.e. guitarist/vocalist Chris Tapp and drummer Brian Mullins, welcome a third member to the formula, as bassist Bryce Klueh adds much to this powerful 6th album.
“Nothing But The Blues” opens the listen with thumping drums and giant guitar riffs in the loud, arena ready rocker, and “Come For Me” follows with the melodic and thick rhythm section making for a cautious yet animated landscape.
Halfway through, the retro-rock nods of “Got No Right” radiates some garage rock bursts, while “Voices” brings meticulous guitar licks and swells of buzzing ideas to the album’s best.
Close to the end, “It’s Heavy” is indeed firm and showcases bass acrobatics amid chunky moments, and “The Ghost” exits with a dark intimacy that relies on southern gothic and haunting dynamics that illustrate even more diversity from the trio.
A listen that’s as well thought out lyrically as it is musically, The Cold Stares have continued to progress their song craft with each subsequent record, and now with Klueh at their disposal they are indeed making some of the best blues rock that exists today.