Boston Rock Radio - BRR Articles: Stonebourne 'Squirrels On A Plane' Album Review By JD Rich

Stonebourne

Squirrels On A Plane

Independent

Released: September 16, 2020

Album Review By JD Rich

Boston Rock Radio

Achtung Grunge music fans, get ready for a touch of modern-day retro! Stonebourne’s first full-length album, Squirrels On A Plane, is waiting for you. I’ll be your pilot for the duration of the review, so please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright position as we taxi down the runway. Our flight departs from Germany, home to many Rock legends, such as The Scorpions, Rammstein, and Accept, just to name a few.

Before you order from the beverage cart, I’d like to offer some insight into Stonebourne’s flight plan. We’ll be respectfully flying through clouds of Nirvana, early Soundgarden, maybe we'll catch a few light breezes from 70’s Rock. You’ll hear the angels of Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, and Layne Staley. The spirits of these dearly departed icons have been channeled through Stonebourne’s music, a tribute of gratitude with a modern-day edge. Alert listeners can spot influences from all of the greats in that format. They don’t mimic the glory days of Grunge, they build on it. We’re not flying in a twin-prop engine plane, more like an airbus retrofitted with a supersonic jet engine to make your flight as smooth as possible.

More audio depth in winding harmonies can be heard via fuller production values that were lacking in the 90s. Then add an impish peppering of NuRock and/or AltRock and remove the outdated teen angst. Grunge babies have an outlet where the music has grown with them, but without sounding rehashed. Contemporary themes are served up, designed to appeal to a larger audience. It works. Don’t be surprised if you hear more from or about Stonebourne in the coming months. Squirrels On A Plane could very well launch them onto the global music scene if they play their cards right. Since the pandemic has put pretty much everything on hold (for now), there is breathing room for the band to conceive and deploy unconventional methods on their path forward.

As adorable as the album title is, Squirrels On A Plane contains serious straightforward Rock for all to appreciate. Don’t worry about getting airsick. Boarding began September 16th, and a smooth flight is within your reach. Just don’t step on the squirrels. They will be conducting the flight safety presentation.

On-Air Wayne Benson