Third Times a Softer Charm

Road Runner Records welcomes back the long-haired rockers, Black Stone Cherry for their third studio album, “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.”

Raise a glass and have a shot of bourbon with the self proclaimed “White Trash Millionaire,” Kentucky boys. Black Stone Cherry made a little deal with Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon to celebrate the release of their new album so have a look at the liquor shelves for the BSC branded bottles.

The American hard rockers start the album off with an anthemic southern jam for all the rednecks and trailer parkers with “White Trash Millionaires.” Lead vocalist Chris Robertson blends his whiskey-soaked pipes with a strong dose of melody and some tailgate party lyrics. “I got two zig-zags and you know I’ll share / I’m everyone from nowhere / white trash / white trash / millionaire,” wails Robertson. The second go around for the chorus is followed by a blues-infused guitar solo from Ben Wells, which gives it enough energy to make it the first single off the album a great track one.

“Killing Floor” follows in a bitter-sweet fashion. Musically, the verses hit hard and distorted, but a true melody comes out in the chorus. In 2009, the band opened for Nickelback and their influence appears to have infected Black Stone Cherry’s sound here and the next track, “In My Blood.” “Killing Floor,” along with “Change,” act as midpoint tracks between the high energy songs like the opener, “Blame It On The Boom Boom,” and ”Let Me See You Shake.”

“Blame It On The Boom Boom” is an instant bar room hit that will have the whole crowd chanting along with the “Heys” after every verse. For anyone who chooses to partake in Evan Williams bourbon, just follow Black Cherry’s directions, “if you wake up in the morning / in somebody else’s room (room) / Blame It On The Boom Boom.”

“Like I Roll” is for anyone who regularly puts on “Ramblin’ Man,” by The Allman Brothers Band, finds some open stretch of road and does the “arm-plane” out the window thing. Robertson conjures up images of the small town getaway with the well worn lyrics, “got my daddy’s car / and his old guitar / a suitcase full of broken hearts.”

The second half of the album starts off with a cover of the old school classic from the Marshall Tucker Band, “Can’t You See.” Black Stone Cherry is often compared to Lynyrd Skynryd, toured with Def Leppard and White Snake, and now can add another world class influence to their repertoire.

The slower, more emotive tracks include, “In My Blood,” “Like I Roll” and the acoustically driven “Stay,” and “All I’m Dreamin’ Of.” The latter shows the most variety in style as a banjo picks its way through a little radio friendly intro. A slide glides around the pre-chorus that cues up a cello. The instrumental elements are solid and beautifully blended. There wont be any keg stands to this one but it’ll garner appeal from those who want to turn the volume down and give their teeth a rest from the grind.

Fans of the album won’t find it very difficult to get a live show. Black Stone Cherry is touring all over the Midwest and East Coast through September. They are also set to play over seas in Italy, Germany, the UK and more.

“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” as well as their sophomore album, “Folklore and Superstition” have been widely successful. Both have charted all over the world, which includes a peak on the #1 slot for the UK Rock Chart.