While I write this, the band is on a US tour with label mates Creed. So, who are the 12 Stones? Well, this is a modern rock band consisting of four young guys. With this self-titled product they present a debut that was produced by Jay Baumgardner (who has worked with Papa Roach, Coal Chamber and others). This resulted in a disc that sounds heavier than the average modern rock CD that I've come across. The occasional background screams also contributed to this. Vocalist Paul McCoy is often singing the blues with lyrics dealing with loneliness, rejection and frustration. Just check how often they use the word "away", like: "I see a lot of hate, pushing me away" (in Open Your Eyes). Musically there's definitely a blues influence too, mostly when it comes to solo guitar playing. For example, My Life has a neat, bluesy solo. Most songs follow the same pattern with clean guitar picking in the beginning and verses and heavy distorted guitars in the choruses. This becomes a bit predictable after a while. However, this disc is a very fine debut. Good playing and excellent quality, sound wise.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Brian A. Smith12 Stones is the latest entry into the "heavy melody" category, doing their best to incorporate the sounds of Creed, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Rage Against the Machine, and P.O.D. into their music. Interestingly enough, Wind-Up Records had scheduled them to open for the recently cancelled Creed tour. The approach here parallels Creed almost identically: hard rock music, guitar solos,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglPerhaps owing to New Orleans' thriving live music scene, the path to widespread exposure for Louisiana's 12 Stones has been a relatively short one. Hailing from Mandeville, a rural town of roughly 8,000 just north of the Crescent City, the band was invited to play for industry representatives in New York after only a dozen or so live shows and netted a major-label deal with Wind-up Records less…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dr. Bruce L. ThiessenFirst-time listener beware! Due to the conspicuous verisimilitude on the first track between the music of 12 Stones and Creed, you may be tempted to prematurely label these 70's retro rockers as a cookie-cutter-Creed-knock-off band. 12 Stones are obvious aficionados of the ubiquitous Creed, and significantly influenced by them, but a closer, longer listen will reveal an appreciably distinctive…Similar sounding releases
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