Stone Machine

Organic. That term when used to describe music is usually associated with bands like the Grateful Dead. But with a lot of music nowadays sounding like it's punched out of a computer assembly line, "organic" is how I'd describe Stone Machine. A real rock 'n' roll band steeped in the rock traditions--a basic quartet of vocalist, guitarist, bass, and drums. Your basic American r'n'r band. But in this day and age their music stands for a lot more. Born out of bands like Free/Bad Company, Aerosmith, Foreigner, Skynyrd, early Spooky Tooth, and even vaguely reminiscent of (one of my favorite bands) Taste, along with other "classic" rock bands, these guys just get on with it--they rock.This album has already been reviewed but I wanted to get the word out in my own little way. The only reason I'm writing this is hopefully fans of basic r'n'r bands will give these boys a listen. Their albums, released on the small Grooveyard Records label (with other smokin' artists like Guitar Pete), will never get the publicity of other (maybe lesser) bands. And since Amazon has changed the criteria of how they rate reviews/reviewers, and also because less people are reading and "voting positively" for my reviews, whatever importance of being a "Top 100" (or Top 50) reviewer, plugging a good band/album will soon be gone. Sadly this will be another review of a worthy band that will only be read (hopefully) by those music lovers who read my reviews with any kind of regularity.But this band is what rock is all about. Nothing fancy, just your basic music that's more for your body than for your mind. Great powerhouse vocals from Jason Mays, scorching guitar from Dirk Blevins, and a powerful rhythm section of Jamie Hall-bass, and Jeremy Hall-drums. Throw in a little harp and organ overdubs and you're there. With song titles (all by Blevins) like "Dirty Sweet", "Down South Mama", "Cheatin' Woman", "Black Cat Bone", "Pine County Woman", and others, you get the idea of the subject matter in the lyrics. And when you have lyrics delivered by Jason Mays, a classic rock vocalist in the best tradition, along with Blevins' guitar (with some overdubs) which actually sounds full of pent up electricity, and a no nonsense rhythm section...well that's hard to beat.There's no extended soloing, just thick slabs of big riffage--it's obvious that Blevins loves the sound of the electric guitar. And Mays vocals are classic--taken from days/bands gone by. Stone Machine certainly haven't invented the wheel here, but they're a continuation in a long list of rock bands from the past, many who are no more--or worse--are still trying to capture their original youth and power. Forget that. It's time to move on, and Stone Machine is it.So if you've maybe lost touch with what real, basic rock is all about, give Stone Machine a listen. The band is from the American heartland somewhere in Virginia, and their stomping ready-to-rock music is the real thing. This band is a reminder of what rock always was and will be--just four guys who have to get their music out to anyone whose into rock 'n' roll nowadays. And with a lot of plastic, shiny music released today Stone Machine is needed more than ever (remember the Disco era?) to let fans know that rock is alive and well.And if this appeals to/excites you, check out the band's second album "American Honey". The vocals have gotten even better and the guitar work has evolved but stayed true to rock guitar. This sophomore effort shows the band has grown a bit but stayed true to the music.

Had listened to "American Honey" by this band and was hooked on the musoic and style. Looked for more music by this band - Glad I bought this CD.

Yes indeed. I've finally found a new band that harkens back to the days of classic rock. This album is amazing, a breath of fresh air at a time when the industry is full of wanna-be rockers. These guys are the real deal. It gets better with each listen. I haven't heard a crunching guitar sound like the one in "L.A. Lady" in years!!!! Die-hard classic rock fans MUST hear this one!!!

Great 70's flavor spices this album up!!

EXCELLENT 70's FEEL TO THIS MUSIC. A well rounded band with polished vocals and tight musicianship. Grooveyard Record Label artist."INCLUDES 12 TRACKS OF STRAIGHT UP, AUTHENTIC, BLUESY HARD ROCK THAT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF BAD COMPANY,CREAM, FREE, HUMBLE PIE, LED ZEPPELIN, MONTROSE, JAMES GANG,STEPPENWOLF, FOREIGNER, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, BADLANDS & CRY OF LOVE. GROOVEYARD RECORDS RE-ISSUE OF THIS WAY-KOOL ESSENTIAL GUITAR ROCK DISC COMPLETE WITH AN EXCELLENT UNRELEASED, EPIC 8 MINUTE BONUS TRACK. DIG DEEP AND SMELL THE AWESOME STONE MACHINE ROCK MOJO."I FOUND THAT THEY SOUNDED SOMEWHAT LIKE STEPPENWOLF AT TIMES WITH A DOUBLE TROUBLE RHYTHM SECTION BACKGROUND ON A FEW OF THE TUNES. ALSO SOUNDED A BIT LIKE SAMMY HAGAR."STONE MACHINE" IS PICKING UP WHERE MANY OF THE 70S BLUES-ROCK BANDS LEFT OFF. GUITAR-BASED AND VIRTUOSIC, THE BAND SOARS THROUGH ORIGINAL NUMBERS THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN WRITTEN BY THE MASTERS OF YESTERYEAR: MOUNTAIN, ALLMAN BROTHERS, LED ZEP, AND BAD COMPANY. "STONE MACHINE" INCLUDES A SINGER THAT IS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS PAUL RODGERS. THIS DEBUT CD SHOWS PROFICIENCY, EXPERIENCE, AND TASTE -- THE KIND THAT ONLY COMES WITH CONSISTENT PLAYING AND INBORN TALENT. THIS IS KICK-EM-IN-THE-FACE ROCK, EXECUTED PERFECTLY. SO PLAY IT LOUD AND TUNE IN TO A GREAT, GREAT BAND.STEVEN J. ROSEN (AUTHOR) (SEPTEMBER 2012)

...it's hard for me to keep quiet about this monstrosity, because for the past four decades I've personally watched him hone his bleating, bluesy riffs and nononsense lyrics into this masterful collection. The Big Man Himself begins the album with the cutty, nasty riff of 'Dirty Sweet' with his cutyerthroatout guitar, jubilantly wailing in and out, through Pageesque steely stylings on 'On A White Horse,' a heartfelt tribute tune, and...it's really difficult to summarize Stone Machine's sound in the scant words accorded me here. Let's not forget the wailing, Hagarian vocals, harp riffs, and the stomping relentless drums which, as all purchasers of the tunes herein (This Means YOU) will quickly discern, had, count 'em, FOUR Bonhamian, bohemian bashers standing in line to lay down!!!Just blow a lousy buck and check out the first tune (make certain you've an adequate supply of drink on hand) and see if you're not blown away!!!

If you like Cry Of Love, Free, Badlands etc, any of those bands than this is right up your alley..A must buy..

Great retro- rock album! They sound as a unfinished Version of Bad Company and Black Crowes. Especially the guitars hint towards Bad Company.Can`t wait to let the sound of this album (and their other 2 albums that I have purchased) roar out on the porch this summer!!.....

Good rock CD, just like good old times!!