Hailing from Ontario, Canada, the boys in Stone River seem intent on proving that rock 'n' roll isn't quite dead. Laden with roaring power chords and a peculiar Southern charm, their self-titled debut album was made for those summer nights of barbecues and beer. Fire her up!
Right from the opening licks of "Southern Feeling", it's quite apparent that Stone River grew up worshipping at the altar of Skynyrd. Despite this, there's no feel of staleness or cheapness on the album. Far from it. The commendable guitar duo of Jeff Desilets and Darren Flowers steer the album nicely with their well orchestrated riffs and leads, while front man Renan Yildizodogan exercises a strong and versatile rock 'n' roll voice throughout.
"On These Turning Tides" is as close as the album comes to bearing a ballad, while "Inside These Walls" is a nod towards probable metal influences but still in keeping with the album's rock 'n' blues attitude. "The Valley of the Butterflies" makes for a strangely trippy closer, but by the time you've hit the end of the album, it sounds just right.
On this evidence, Stone River are one of the most exciting rock bands out there right now. From this it's clear that this band have no mainstream pollutions within them - just a deep-rooted love of rock 'n' roll.