Album Review: Black Stone Cherry – This is Black Stone Cherry’s RSD album. The band really likes it. (Mascot Records)

Black Stone Cherry will release their new Record Store Day exclusive LP, ‘This is Black Stone Cherry’s RSD album. The band really likes it’, physically on April 12th and digitally on April 18th via Mascot Records. This collection includes B-sides, covers, live tracks, and previously unreleased songs taken from the band’s expansive discography together for the first time on a limited-edition vinyl.

For the fans only, but that’s the point, and Black Stone Cherry have plenty of fans who will be desperate to get their hands on this unique release. Not just for the bonus studio recorded stuff, but for the live tracks that make up the B-side of the vinyl.

The A-side has some really cool stuff. Features some really cool guests, some really cool covers, and some really cool classic Black Stone Cherry Southern rock. We have a cover of The Cult’s classic American Horse, which features Skillet’s John Cooper & Ayron Jones. A track that is transformed into one hell of a groovy body shaker. It’s not touching the original, but damn, it’s a mighty fine cover. Whereas the reimagined Out of Pocket, one of Black Stone Cherry’s biggest songs, is given fresh life thanks to the guest vocals of Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach. No band can go wrong by having Leach involved and an already punchy listen is given even more ‘oomph’.

How about a cover of Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do with It though? A fun idea, taking a stone-cold pop classic and genuinely putting a different spin on it. Which sits comfortably alongside a respectful and mellow cover of Tracey Chapmen’s Give Me One Reason (a track that appeared on the Deluxe Edition of The Human Condition album).

A song of hope, reminding us that even in our loneliest hour someone else has felt that and it is always worth it to keep moving.

That is how Black Stone Cherry sum up the previously unreleased track, have You Ever Been Lonely. A track with power and passion behind it, even though it sits on the more melodramatic side of things. Black Stone Cherry do a great job of buoying the soul by delivering a likable anthem that will speak to many. Though they’re so renowned for that, it may not too much of a surprise to those who love this band.

The thing is, you don’t have to be a hardcore fan either to get a kick out of this record, especially when a more robust head banger like I Miss You comes along to wrap up the A side of the vinyl. Now, it’s time for some live music and Black Stone Cherry have selected some very cool tracks and some very cool events to showcase here.

We have a live version of When the Pain Comes, taken from their 2023 album, Screamin’ at the Sky. We then have a live acoustic version of Peace is Free, from their 2008 album, Folklore and Superstition, which would be awesome enough, but then we get to enjoy the immense vocals of Lzzy Hale, who guests on the track. A highlight of the entire record. Then, there’s Again (from 2021’s The Human Condition), taken from a unique live performance at Nashville’s The Skydeck.

Finally, it’s Hellfest and three big Black Stone Cherry hits to wrap up the record. Heading all the way back to the self-titled album in 2006 for the iconic Lonely Train. Then to 2011 for Blame It on the Boom Boom and White Trash Millionaire, both from their beloved album, Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea. Plenty of bang for your freaking buck, eh?

Black Stone Cherry – This is Black Stone Cherry’s RSD album. The band really likes it. Track Listing:

1. American Horse (ft. John Cooper & Ayron Jones)
2. Out Of Pocket (ft. Jesse Leach)
3. What’s Love Got to Do with It
4. Give Me One Reason (The Plug)
5. Have You Ever Been Lonely
6. I Miss You
7. When the Pain Comes (Live)
8. Peace Is Free (ft. Lzzy Hale) (Live Acoustic)
9. Again (Live from the Skydeck)
10. Lonely Train (Live from Hellfest)
11. Blame It on the Boom Boom (Live from Hellfest)
12. White Trash Millionaire (Live from Hellfest)

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