‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ Black Stone Cherry’s eighth studio album features twelve new tracks written collaboratively while on tour and tracked at The Plaza Theater in Glasgow, Kentucky – a legendary 1020-seat venue built in 1934 that boasts meticulous acoustics. Back in June 2022, the band rented the whole place, brought in all its recording equipment and engineer, Jordan Westfall. They set up the basement as the control room and the stage as the live drum room. Time between recording sessions and incredible room ambience have resulted in a career high watermark for BSC.
After their last album ‘The Human Condition’ became their sixth consecutive No. 1 debut on the UK Rock Albums charts with every release you always wonder how a band can possibly keep that kind of quality on the boil, and if it’s possible to reach even bigger heights. I mean we all have bad days right? Well after listening to ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ for a month now I’m absolutely convinced that BSC just don’t have bad days, or even bad moments as far as song writing goes because SATS is another barnstormer!
If you’ve loved the last few records you’ll love this it’s an album with an angrier edge to it’s predecessors but that anger is beautifully channeled. Opening with the title track ‘Screamin’ at the Sky’ begins as it means to go on – the sound is huge, fat, and in your face and completely unapologetic. It’s a song that starts with a huge bone-crunching riff and Chris railing against the sky before a wash of smooth refrain mellows the impact. It’s a great show opener!
This album of course is notable in that it is the first from the new line-up with Jon Lawhon leaving the band in June 2021 to be replaced by Steve Jewell. Sonically there’s no real shift in attitude just that harder edge. Single ‘Nervous’ that you all will have heard is definitely one for the live set, it has all those elements we love about the band both lyrically and sonically. The onslaught doesn’t let up though ‘When the Pain Comes’ is a real stomper with that soothing melodic chorus to soothe the crush of the riff. It’s another huge song.
There’s a lot of anger and edge to ‘Out of Pocket’ which carries a sentiment we can all relate to; and ‘Show Me What It Feels Like’ that follows is just a little different – a wonderful melody with some soaring melodies, it’s one of the lightest moments on the album but still retains that edge.
The real story of the album though is its directness and succinctness – everything here is around that three and a half minute mark and every song gets right to the point. There’s just great songs that get to the point to allow another great song to edge its way into those cans. It works incredibly well and just feels like you’re stood in the way of a freight train; only to then be swept away by a tidal wave, that pushes you into the path of a explosion – it’s relentless. And it works so well.
‘R.O.A.R.’ (Raindrops on a Rose) has some wonderful guitar work (check out that closing solo) and sounds like the radio-friendly high point of the record. It’s a real highpoint in a sea of highlights! Before you can catch a breath ‘Smile World’ kicks in to add its hard funky edge and ‘The Mess You Made’ is lifted to dizzying heights by John Fred’s drums which are a real feature of this album. How many times can you say that the drumming has been one of the real standouts of a Rock and Roll record? Well just listen to this! Its simply Bonhamesque!
There’s no let up though and nowhere to hide: ‘Who Are You Today’ has the biggest chorus amongst some real monsters and is a definite high point! ‘Not Afraid’ sports a hugely infectious heavy riff; and ‘Here’s to the Hopeless’ is just incredible – gentler, mid tempo but a rallying cry for us all! Man this album is relentless! You are going to love it!
That just leaves ‘You Can Have It All’ to close proceedings it’s a great way to close as it soars away and leaves you with that real uplifting positive feeling that underlines the message of the album – we all have things that push us down whether life in general or personal tragedies but there’s always that light from the new morning after you’ve finished screaming at the sky!
There’s no stopping Black Stone Cherry, and album number eight is definitely one that can’t help but push them further up that ladder. I could listen to this record all day and never get tired of it and if I saw the live and they played this back to front I’d be more than happy – it really is that good! The more you play this record the more remarkable it gets!
9 / 10
Check back on Monday for our interview with Chris…
