Stone Broken – Revelation
Stone Broken – Revelation
Spinefarm Records
Release Date: 15/04/22
Running Time: 36:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
Score: 4/10
It’s strange to think that Walsall’s Stone Broken have been around for nearly a decade. In that time, they’ve released a mere two full-length albums, but have created a stir within the New Wave Of Classic Rock, a movement that appears to have no brakes. Having argued with a drunk member of the Broken Army at Steelhouse last year who insisted that Stone Broken should have headlined the festival instead of the legendary Uriah Heep (yeah, I know), I made it my mission to give this latest album a fair hearing. They’ve garnered a lot of fans with their hard touring ethic. I’ve seen them a few times, including a highly prestigious support slot to American legends Cheap Trick and whilst many of the audience were fully committed, their brand of rather lightweight choreographed Rock did little for me.
It’s been four years since “Ain’t Always Easy” was released. I remember being rather non-plussed by it and I must admit that I’ve struggled with “Revelation” as well. It opens promisingly enough, both ‘Black Sunrise’’ and The Devil You Know’ are reasonable if routine Rock tracks, the kind that appeal to those who think the Foo Fighters are a Heavy Metal band. It’s music that attracts big followings, the kind that get singalongs at Steelhouse and Stonedead for starters and if that’s your thing then good for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Listening to any album with a critical ear, I genuinely want something that really grabs hold, leaps out of the speaker, and grabs my attention. There is little of that here. It’s evident early on that Stone Broken have shifted their sound and approach, and for that they deserve kudos for not repeating the same formula repeatedly. And yet it lacks the sparkle that should set them apart. The title track should be an anthem, yet it’s got horrible autotune, programming and a Shinedown lite sound. It’s Pop music with a Rock edge rather than Rock with Pop sensibilities. There’s hardly a guitar present, although this is the direction that both Rich Moss and Robyn Haycock had apparently wanted to explore. It’s an interesting direction, and they’ve added hooks which will be easily buried in their devoted fans memories. Whether it’ll be something that widens their appeal or challenges some of the fanbase will be interesting.
Inevitably, there are some emotionally charged ballads included. ‘Make It Out Alive’ is ghastly, echoes of manufactured boy bands running riot. Despite the band aiming for darker Electro elements with Haycock bringing additional vocals, it feels very over produced and the grit of their earlier sound is absent. ‘Me Without You’ is mercifully short, a piano led ballad that allows Moss to flex his vocals but it’s difficult to write a decent Rock ballad. Sadly, this isn’t one.
The tempo does get going again with ‘Without a Reason’, although they seem desperate to cram in the Electronica. The album is crying out for a real balls-out rocker and over halfway into the record, there’s little sign of something that really grabs you by the scruff of the neck. A brief solo bursts out of the Eurovision pomp that seems to be dominating their direction, but its short lived and relatively quickly lost underneath more electro sounds.
Maybe I should be giving more credit to the band. This change in sound could have been exciting and bold. It’s a brave move. And there is the occasional flash of something interesting but overall, it’s just a bit dull. I’m not sure what their direction is. It’s a bold move to change style, and they’ve done it somewhat on tracks like ‘Over the Line’. Maybe more radio friendly tracks will grab more fans, sell more albums, and attract more to their UK headline tour. For me, and I remind you that this is just my opinion, it’s just a bit lacking in a) originality and b) passion. It feels flat, despite Dan Weller’s solid production. ‘Stronger’ is yet another ballad, whilst ‘This Revival’ sounds like the music that Nickleback, Shinedown et al can turn out for fun.
Penultimate track ‘So Damn Easy’ suggests that the band haven’t forgotten their Hard Rock roots, with a couple of decent if rather standard riffs, although they go much deeper and darker than in many of their previous songs. That leaves ‘Gimme Some More’ to close the album and it’s a big, bombastic one which should go down well live.
And there you have it. I’ve seriously tried to be objective. Stone Broken’s sound has never been the kind of music that overexcites me. There are many bands jockeying for seats at the top table in this genre. The likes of Those Damn Crows, The Treatment, Mason Hill, Bad Touch, Florence Black and Massive Wagons are just a few who spring to mind as the current occupants. I have no doubt that Stone Broken will be close after this album is released. I think the Broken Army will love it. The change in direction and style may lose them a few fans but it’s also likely to grab them many more. It hasn’t changed my opinion, but I wish them well. They write and perform their own music and I can’t argue with that.
‘Black Sunrise’ Official Lyric Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Black Sunrise
02. The Devil You Know
03. Revelation
04. Make It Out Alive
05. Me Without You
06. Without a Reason
07. Over the Line
08. Stronger
09. This Revival
10. So Damn Easy
11. Gimme Some More
LINE-UP:
Rich Moss – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Chris Davies – Lead Guitar
Kieron Conroy – Bass
Robyn Haycock – Drums, Backing Vocals
LINKS:
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