Album Review: Black Eyed Sons – Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits (Off Yer Rocka Recordings)

Black Eyed Sons may be a new name but they’re certainly not new faces and are no strangers to the music industry. Familiar to many over the past twenty years as members of The Quireboys, this new endeavour sees them joined by an amazing collection of fellow musicians for a joyous collaboration of mutual admiration and musical celebration on their debut album, ‘Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits’. The album will be released on January 31st, 2025, via Off Yer Rocka Recordings.

Photo Credit: Michelle Livings

How cool is this? Not just because it features members of The Quireboys and Down n’ Outz, or because it also features an array of talented guest musicians, but because it is every bit an old school slice of vibrant rock and roll with massive anthemic qualities. Accessible to all, you don’t have to be an old rocker to enjoy what this album holds.

Which just happens to be an exciting and electrifying mix of foot-tappers, finger-snappers, head-nodders, and hip-shakers. Beginning in infectious style with Lie to Me, the dazzling rhythm exemplified by a prevalent harmonica, is very lovable, before Medicine gives the listener a strong injection of swaying melody. The latter of which features members of the iconic rock band, Buckcherry. It’s hardly boundary pushing, but it is a well-done collaboration.

Something that does apply to the album as a whole. These guests haven’t been chosen at random, with relationships going back many, many years. Someone like Scotti Hill of Skid Row, who appears on the groovy Dig Me Out of This Hole, has a 30+ year relationship with the members.

He’s not alone in throwing his all into his guest spot either, and everyone involved adds their own spice to things. One particular highlight is Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr who guests on the melodramatic Autumn Reigns. A track that feels like a warm hug from a loved one.

There are more, many more. The album title track is a lovingly layered piece that features the immense talents of Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Alice Cooper’s Ryan Roxie, and Chip Z’Nuff from Enuff Z’Nuff. Unsurprisingly, it has got some great guitar soloing. Mike Tramp of White Lion is part of the expressive Your True Colours, Dan Reed of Dan Reed Network helps make So Glorious one of the most colourful tracks of all, and the trio of Alan Clayton (Dirty Strangers) Steve Conte (NY Dolls, Mike Monroe) and Chris Johnstone (Quireboys) get some swagger going with the rocking Savoir Faire.

All great stuff and all liable to find a wide and varied audience.

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Black Eyed Sons – Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits Track Listing:

1. Lie To Me
2. Medicine W/ Josh Todd, Stevie D (Buckcherry)
3. Foolin’ Yourself W/ Steve Conte (NY Dolls, Mike Monroe) Kyf Brewer (Company of Wolves/Barley Juice)
4. Autumn Reigns W/ Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke)
5. Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits W/ Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper) Chip Z’Nuff (Enuff Z’Nuff)
6. Don’t Throw Me in the Corner W/ Chip Z’Nuff (Enuff Z’Nuff)
7. Your True Colours W/ Mike Tramp (White Lion)
8. Savoir Faire W/ Alan Clayton (Dirty Strangers) Steve Conte (NY Dolls, Mike Monroe) Chris Johnstone (Quireboys)
9. Dig Me Out of This Hole W/ Scotti Hill (Skid Row)
10. So Glorious W/ Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network)
11. Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory W/ Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper)




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Black Eyed Sons - Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits (Off Yer Rocka Recordings)
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