Fountains Left to Wake

5/5

Fountains Left to Wake

Stonerider

  1. gives it a: 5/5

    Fountains could honestly be two standalone records, propping up the band’s two distinct-but-interrelated ideologies: “warm color” songs and “cool color” songs (or “boogie down” and “space out” songs, roughly translated for the un-Experienced). However, it’s a proper introduction to all things StoneRider: a timeless mix threading through slab after slab of classic cuts. These are songs you’d actually WANT on the radio (does radio even still exist?); the licks are as memorable as most other records’ vocal melodies and the hooks are positively unforgettable, often to the point I’m in disbelief they’ve stayed in my head so constantly for so long. Every track is great on its own, but it’s best served as a platter of “all killer, no filler.” Taking it all in at once is really an experience, and that in and of itself gets to the heart of what I think defines the band: the magic is in everyone experiencing it together. StoneRider is a band best served over cold drinks in a room full of your closest friends, and Fountains invites you to participate in that experience the best a rock ‘n roll record possibly could. If more people just knew it existed, it would be wildfire. It’s a classic.

  2. gives it a: 4/5

    Stonerider is one of the only bands who still carries the true classic rock vibe. Killer hooks abound as songs rotate around interludes both within the songs and between them, rife with guitar solos teleported right out of 1969. It’s hard to come across blues rock that’s upbeat without being trite, but ‘Fountains Left to Wake’ does it, and does it well.

    My only true disappointment here is the length of the record and the order of the songsā€”the album is its strongest right slap in the middle, but it’s sandwiched by enough good music to have made two records with two distinctly different vibes.

  3. gives it a: 5/5

    Vice: Whiskey, Weed, Mushrooms
    Mind’s Eye: Big Planes, The road, The countryside
    Consume With: An omelet, Chips & Dips, A 5-course dinner
    Sex: A bunch of ways neither have tried yet, On break, All night
    Primary Sounds: Guitar, Bass, Drums
    Colors: Orange, Red, Purple
    For Fans Of: Grand Funk Railroad, Blue Cheer, Beck Bogart & Appice
    What I’d Say: ‘I can dig it.’, ‘Shit’s groovy.’, ‘Bet that singer gets laid a lot.’