The debate on guitar music’s health within the music industry is widespread, however STONE’s Fear Life For A Lifetime proves its futility. Will this album change the world? Unlikely, but it doesn’t need to. This is not a clever record, and it doesn’t try to be, it was made to crank up the volume in your bedroom and annoy the neighbors, an often-forgotten sentiment in this decade.
Frontloaded with singles, I was concerned that this album would fall into the common pitfall of a rock band’s debut, becoming a collection of songs track listed from best to worst. Instead, the Scouse quartet utilize the front end of the record to set the tone, with songs like Queen and Roses encapsulating the post-Britpop sound perfectly.
The first song to break this mold is Say It Out Loud, which showcases a softer, more introspective side to a band renowned for their high-octane punk sound, and wouldn’t seem out of place on a Wallows album.
More importantly, this track signifies a change in tone of the record, with the second half of the LP stepping outside the box that STONE have assigned themselves to. Save Me kicks off this transition, an unashamedly Queens of the Stone Age inspired step into darker, heavier territory.
Keeping in sync with this new direction, Never Gonna Die and Sold My Soul offer a groovier feel, with the guitar and bass stepping into the forefront of the production. The feature on the former is a welcome addition, and injects a little variety into the record. The final two tracks don’t ruin the album, but they leave something to be desired. The token ballad to close a record is a risky game, and in this case, it feels out of place.
Nonetheless, this is a really strong first attempt from STONE, which sees them experiment in the studio without straying too far from their punk roots. I’m doubtful that this record will propel them to festival headliner status, but it reinforces their position as exciting newcomers, and it is clear the band have an exciting future ahead of themselves.
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Article By Ben Smith
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