This alternative rock release from Italian band Down The Stone is a nice little gem that kind of blends the classic rock sounds of the 80’s and 90’s with an injection of modern alternative rock but what it really focuses on is catchy riffs and a solid mid-tempo beat that rarely strays away from those elements. What makes it interesting at the same time is the somewhat poppy elements that creep in, particular in some of the choruses which somehow works well and gives the songs an enriched melodic sense.
Every song has some kind of memorable riff or melody, whether it’s the chugginess of songs like “Walking In My Shoes” and “A Good Day” or the more classic rock sounding stuff like “”To Live Or To Die” and “I Don’t Care”. I surprisingly hear a very slight reference to industrial type stuff like Rob Zombie or Static-X like in “Hammer” and “Head”, it’s very subtle but it’s there in a sort of roundabout way but not enough to completely add anything more than a brief moment in the song. “Hate Me” is a politically charged heavy hitter that brings up the Paris attacks of 2015, given the context of the song and the world around us currently, it’s a fitting song and the line “Shut The Fuck Up” makes much more sense when knowing the lyrical content.
The beat of Down The Stone’s music kind of drives the whole album from start to finish, that 1-2 punch of the drums gives the songs a strong and obvious direction and helps to deliver the melodies and riffs that are also a strong part of the music. The downside to that is that after a few tracks in you realize that there’s not much variety in the tempos and dynamics but then again, not many complain about that in AC/DC do they? It works for Down The Stone too and is a major component in what makes the songs memorable and catchy. The poppier elements also start to make sense after hearing their cover version of Lady Gagas’s “Poker Face” which is obviously a much more amped up rock version.
Whether you stomp your feet, bang your head or just tap your fingers, “Life” is a solid album that delivers the bare essentials in good rock music with a little heaviness thrown in for good measure. A worthwhile investment in your time for rock fans all over.
TRACKLIST
Life
Walking In My Shoes
A Good Day
Hammer
My Mind
Hate Me
To Live Or To Fie
Head
I Don’t Care
Your World
Poker Face
