The Power Of And
Big Stir, 2023
9/10
The debut solo album from the original bassist of power-pop legends The Spongetones, Steve Stoeckel brings us 15 diverse rockers here, where a heartfelt presence and short tracks make an indelible impression.
“Laura Lynn” opens the listen and makes great use of Eric Willhelm’s thumping drums alongside Stoeckel’s guitars and powerful pipes, and the acoustic fueled “Birds” follows with Stoeckel handling all instruments in the dreamy, folk friendly climate.
Deeper into the listen, “The Emerald Sea” welcomes Michael Mitsch’s pennywhistle and Stacy Carson’s bodhran for the Celtic influenced beauty and grit, while “Christine” places David Harper on piano and Irene Pena on vocals for the rugged yet melodic retro-rocker.
Close to the end, Stoeckel handles flute and recorder for the intimate appeal of “Hummingbird”, and “Whistling Past Graveyards” exits with a thicker approach thanks to Chris Garges’ thumping drums and Rick McClanahan’s meticulous electric guitar.
A listen where each track is just as good as the one before it, Stoeckel brings a lifetime of talent and skill to this constantly shifting rock’n’roll effort that’s easy to admire and hard to forget.
Travels well with: Popsicko- Off To A Bad Start; Sparkle Jets U.K.- Best Of Friends