Welsh blues rock band Stonehouse formed in December 2010. Three friends with a passion for playing music. The band includes Colin Roberts vocals, bass guitar and acoustic guitar; Nathan Owen electric and acoustic guitars and Deian Elfryn drums, Cajun drum, and backing vocals.
Individually, each member brings a wealth of experience to the Stonehouse project. All band members are well-known within their own professional circles, and each musician can call upon a huge wealth of experience. They have all toured extensively, and each has a long and proud musical pedigree.
Collectively, Stonehouse produce dynamic soulful music. Whether it’s performed acoustically or as a full band, the audience are often held captivated by the experience.
New album ‘Junction’ was released on May 27th. We had a listen:
The opening title-track on the new album reminded us of a (female) walking on a bumpy road towards the legendary ‘Crossroads’. Towards a final destination … [that] “Was so final and so cold…”
The pace is jaunty and blasted through-and-through with grapeshot percussion. The vocals are a gravelled and are a sourdough mix of pleasure and pain. And the ever- weaving guitars are shining and elegant.
‘Wintertime’ is a bit more guttural. It has some trashy guitars and some sepulchral organ. The thatch of thick drum-work tends to skirt around the melody – and the guitar writhes like a Chickasaw diamond-back thrown onto a smoky pyre. A breakdown is elegant, gem-like and juicy. And then the dance begins – with a simple and purely molten guitar. This song is blissful and imperturbable.
After the smooth flustering that is ‘Dark Clouds’ we get ‘Ceidwad’ (saviour/keeper) sung in Welsh – to a buzzing beat and a familiar set of chords. Although not extraordinarily original – the language still gives this song a feeling of unusual piety.
‘Lonely’ was the girls name in the next track. The vocals are distinctly American in their mid-west accent and slowly rousing nature. The electric piano makes occasional appearances and the choruses are lush and sincere. This is a song of sweet honeyed temperament and lightly sun-baked constitution. ‘Into Stone’ is more ambitious. A jazzy guitar flickers around vocals that are begging and pleading. The context is not exactly fresh or inventive, but the vocals give life to a painful piece of hardship poetry that is acutely set within the confines of an authentic sounding delta-blues composition. Probably the best moments come during the guitar solo – and then this piece becomes sublime and full of suggestions.
‘Take My Soul’ is destined to be a favourite – especially when played live – and it will be a certain candidate for the next single. Squelching – almost muddy – guitars agitate themselves around the melodic centerpiece. And those vocals (reminding us of Paul Rodgers) are as fat as soy pressed mulch. Guitars fizz and burn, and the chorus drills itself deep into the back of your head.
Final track ‘Freedom Grains’ is another highly successful number. Against a flattering set of unencumbered drums, the guitars roll out as the bravado of vocals bluster and blow themselves apart. An exciting guitar ripples through the voice, and it adds tinges of blackened gunpowder to the overall mix.
Perhaps there could have been more anxiety and torture in the songs on this album. They seem, at times, to be a little too constrained. And a bit too slickly smooth. But, otherwise, this is a likeable recording – with many hidden gems and some convincing musicianship – together with many comforting moments.
It will not knock your socks off. But it will do you no harm. So give it a go. Relax. And enjoy.
– © Neil Mach May 2013 –
Link:
RAW RAMP 
One Comment