The Human Condition
By Mike O’Cull
Black Stone Cherry raises the roof and blows out the windows on its new album The Human Condition. Set to break free October 30th, 2020 on Mascot Records, the record focuses on a beefy modern rock sensibility that hits like a gut punch and proves the group hasn’t lost any of the snarl and ferocity that brought it to life almost 20 years ago. The collection will be available on red transparent vinyl, a limited- edition CD box set, and digitally.
The Human Condition was self-produced and laid down in bassist Jon Lawhon’s recording facility, Monocle Studios, and was finished just before COVID-19 became a fact of life and the world went into lockdown. As time went on and situations developed, the band realized that this new cycle of songs eerily reflected the zeitgeist of 2020 and was a perfect release for this moment in history. “There was a real urgency and fear of the unknown during those sessions; it was a scary time,” said drummer John Fred Young, “Every song on this album tells a story of the experiences we all go through: our happiness, our struggles, and how we have to adapt.”
For the first time ever, BSC chose to not record their basic tracks live and instead meticulously multi-tracked everything. Each member endured brutal recording sessions to ensure their collective studio goal of achieving “epic performances” was, in fact, attained. The results are stunning and speak for themselves. The band’s riffs are huge, the drums absolutely slam, and the hooks are glorious. The Human Condition is a visceral journey through every possible human emotion and demonstrates BSC’s mastery of their creative process.
The first line of the opening song “Ringin’ In My Head” is “People, people, your attention please, I need to tell you about a new disease.” It’s a couplet that sums up the hysteria and anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak very well and sets the temperature gauge for the whole album. The track chugs away in a tough mid-speed pocket with plenty of space before launching into its monster chorus. It also features some vibey harmony guitar work in the middle that leads into a full-velocity solo section.
“Push Down & Turn” invokes a mighty swamp metal sound that borders on the frantic to communicate vocalist / guitarist Chris Robertson’s personal struggles with manic depression and severe anxiety. The band is volcanic and full of tension while Roberts uses his immense vocal belt to spit lyrics aimed at ending the stigma around mental illness and convincing those who need help to get it. The title refers to the directions for opening a bottle of prescription medication to be taken “once by mouth two times a day.” Robertson is completely open about his past descent into a dark, suicidal place in hopes of convincing others to step back from the ledge and save their own lives. It shows those who are listening his strength and vulnerability all at once and may well be Black Stone Cherry’s finest work to date.
“In Love With The Pain” is a radio-ready anthem about being addicted to someone you know isn’t good for you. It’s an instantly-enthralling melodic rock track that delivers some serious thoughts about relationships and why we remain in them, even when they turn us upside down and inside out. Robertson’s wah-laced guitar solo screams with the agony of twisted love and boosts the song’s emotional level to an incredible height.
A hard-edged cover of ELO’s 70s hit “Don’t Bring Me Down” is positively stomping and makes for a pleasant surprise stashed way down in The Human Condition’s song sequence. Other tracks that need to be heard include “Devil In Your Eyes,” “If My Heart Had Wings,” and the closer “Keep On Keepin’ On.”
Black Stone Cherry has made what is probably the best straight-up rock album that this year will see with The Human Condition, a set that’s lit, poetic, and that couldn’t have come from any other band. Highly recommended.
Listen to “Ringin’ In My Head’
Pre-order link for The Human Condition
Black Stone Cherry Online
EPIC …
Mike,
Totally agree with you. Thanks for commenting.
Love these guys, They keep the ROCK in Rock n Roll! Saw them open for Chickenfoot and I was hooked.