Album Review: Stew - People
Reviewed by Carl Black
Let's venture into their jamming room of Stew and see what's inside. In my mind's eye when I was listening to this album I could see Les Paul guitars plugged into Orange amplifiers, I can see one of the members wearing a wide brim hat of some description, I can see someone vaping in the corner (probably with a flavor such as strawberries and dung beetle), I can see a cowbell (that's cheating really because I heard a cowbell on the album) and definitely, definitely definitely before all of the equipment was set up, a persian rug was laid on the floor.
In the corner of the jamming room is a record player because it definitely will be vinyl and records are scattered round the turn table. What do this power trio like listening to gain inspiration before they start jamming and recording their own songs? Led Zeppelin is there. Some early Black Crowes possibly? One things for sure they have the Temple of a Dog album.
We have all seen and heard bands such as this, laid-back, jammed out 70s rock and roll that should belong in a bygone era but is given a fresh approach from these three guys from Sweden. It's not quite stoner metal, not quite hair metal, it's just good, basic rock and roll. Not offensive, but not groundbreaking either.
The recording is really refreshing to hear, songs played the old-fashioned way with someone pressing record and play at the same time. In this day and age of cookie cutting, Pro Tools and laptop metal this album sounds as fresh as a daisy and ready to go. Well recorded, and all the instruments have good separation. If we are to believe the press this was recorded as a jam session. All the musicians playing together, at same time. It's turned out like an old BBC session from back in the day, recorded at Maida Vale Studios.
I could possibly see a support tour with AC/DC with half of the audience indifferent to them (most AC/DC support bands get this treatment so no shame in that). A really good effort from these three gentlemen from Sweden, easy listening and happy days.
Stew release 'People' on October 11th via Ripple Music
