The Cold Stares: A Cold Wet Night and a Howling Wind Review

A Cold Wet Night and a Howling Wind is the new album from The Cold Stares. From Nashville, TN this duo has recently been recognized as one of Amazon’s top 100 best selling MP3 albums and Hard Rock Cafe’s Battle of the Bands. The duo consists of guitarist and bassist Chris Tapp and drums and percussionist, Brian Mullins. Tapp says the band’s name came from the Black Crowes song “Stare It Cold.”

The duo mashed up and recreated older classics including Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” Hendrix’s “IF6WA9,” and Blues Cheer’s “Parchment Farm.” “(Livin Lovin) Parchment Farm” is a mash up of Zepplin’s “Livin Loving Maid” and Blues Cheer’s “Parchment Farm.” The Cold Stares used a specific riff from “Livin Loving Maid.” The Cold Stares took Hendrix’s song, “IF6WAS9” and mashed it with a Band of Gypsy’s riff. It’s very psychedelic. The album’s single, “Red Letter Blues,” is inspired by The Scarlet Letter. The middle of this song has an eastern sound that comes through via guitar and tambourine building up to an explosive chorus.

This album has a lot of religious connotations thrown into it. It mixes older songs (even films and stories) with a new flare. Chris recently won his battle with cancer and the band is celebrating by booking new gigs. They are also set to be working towards a new album titled Sleeping with Lions.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– IF6WAS9
– (Livin Lovin) Parchment Farm
– Red Letter Blues

The Big Hit

– Red Letter Blues

Review by Dana Ainsworth