The Stone Foxes, On The Other Side
By Mike O’Cull
San Francisco rockers The Stone Foxes create their own funk/rock/spaghetti western universe and invite us in on their new release On The Other Side.
The album comes out November 18th, 2022 and blends big-riff guitar tactics, seriously funky grooves, and classic rock songwriting instincts into a new style of guitar music. The band, which is really actual brothers Spence and Shannon Koehler, uses melody, psychedelia, studio technique, space, and power in equal parts to turn the idea of Beatle-descended pop/rock completely upside down. The hooks are intense and unforgettable but the production is dramatic and theatrical. The brothers are going for something more evolved and artful than run-of-the-mill rock and roll. On The Other Side is strong evidence that they’ve found it.
The group was formed in 2005 and has gone through many sound and lineup changes. It’s been only the Koehler brothers since 2018 and they’ve been growing into the duo approach quite nicely. They’ve released several singles and an EP in that time and seen their music used in the 2018 Oscar-winning film Free Solo, episode twelve of the Fox show Deputy, and several episodes of FX’s Sons of Anarchy.
The Stone Foxes have also shared stages with The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, and ZZ Top and played important festivals including Outside Lands, VooDoo Music Experience, and SXSW. The current group features Shannon Koehler on vocals, harmonica, and drums and Spence Koehler on guitar, and vocals.
From the quasi-orchestral intro of the opening cut “Man’s Red Fire,” The Stone Foxes create an articulate wall of sound using organ, drums, choral vocals, and horns that augments and flavors the rock and roll core of the song. Imagine Ennio Morricone composing with Pink Floyd in mind and you’ll start to get it.
The harder-edged single “Time Is A Killer” takes this sound even further. It sits on a funky guitar, bass, and drum pocket that provides a solid home for the intelligent lyrics, horns, and orchestrations. The song is about Mother Nature, her murderous ways, and the way she will autocorrect all of us if we don’t get our act together. TSF is unafraid of social commentary, which makes perfect sense. The Koehler brothers are here to spit art and take names, so to speak, and their plain-spoken boldness is refreshing.
“Time Is A Killer”
The tuneful “Faded” sounds happy but is actually a cry for action. The Koehlers ask each of us to learn about what’s going on in the world and to do our part to set things right as best we can. It’s a mid-tempo song with outstanding lead and backup vocals and a ton of tasteful, supportive guitar work. It’s a direct plea from human to human to do better so we can all see the future. Wise men, these two.
The Stone Foxes’ title track “On The Other Side” is mellow and spacey. It sends us up into the clouds with a whistled hook, soaring vocal harmonies, and the encouragement many of us need to keep going right now. Its chill nature allows it to hypnotize you in a gentle way that leads to a peaceful, rejuvenating experience. One of the main lyrical themes of On The Other Side is the attempt to reach our own patch of greener grass while holding onto those we love and this one makes that idea very clear.
Everything The Stone Foxes have done to create On The Other Side speaks loudly of individuality and an indelible vision. They’ve found something of their own, which few groups ever do, and are honoring it by developing it to its fullest potential. This is an important, impactful record that will matter just as much a decade from now as it does today. The Stone Foxes have captured something timeless here and it’s one of 2022’s must-have records. Get it!
The Stone Foxes website
Interesting article! The video indicates that the Stone Foxes are headed in the right direction. Love the song and their music!