Black Stone Cherry
Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea

The acid test for Black Stone Cherry comes as they return after three years with "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea." With this new work, the group's sound resonates even more with southern rock influences, maintaining a good level of energy and vitality, thanks in part to the voice of vocalist Chris Robertson.

The opening track is the first single, "White Trash Millionaire", a convincing piece with a Lynyrd Skynyrd effect from recent times (let's say from the last "God & Guns"), with that distinctive Southern style that serves as an excellent premise. The introspective "Killing Floor" and the semi-ballad "In My Blood" send the album towards a more standard style, more in line with their previous works. Also well-crafted is the rock style of "Such a Shame," where Robertson showcases his vocal qualities as well as his skills as a guitarist and composer. After the calm "Won't Let Go," which has a bit of a 'used' feel, there's another impactful piece, "Blame It On The Boom Boom," which in my opinion will be chosen as a single due to its versatility and catchiness. The '70s touch returns in "Can't You See," as does hard rock in tracks like "Shake" and especially the good "Change," which precedes the closing track, the slow "All I'm Dreamin' Of," which, despite a 'church rhythm' chorus, still holds its own for its naturalness.

It must be said, however, that despite the positive intentions of the Kentucky group, the acid test, or rather the test of maturity, has not been passed, at least not completely, as the band has preferred to settle into a solid hard rock which they can certainly express well, but without daring to take a step too far. In these times, that's already quite something, and an album like this, in my opinion, not comparable to the previous and excellent "Folklore And Superstition," still deserves a special listen.

"Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea," literally "between the devil and the deep blue sea," you could say that BSC chose to stay in the middle, postponing what could be the album of definitive consecration. Album rating: 7.5.