The kids in 12 Stones call the New Orleans area home. I'm immediately suspicious. They're signed to Wind-Up, I'm starting to get drawn in. They know how to throw out a hook with their lead-off track, "Crash." Yes, I've heard the Staley/Vedder vocals before, but I'll stick my ears between the stereophonic headphones anyway. "Crash" seduces me with subtlety, but I'm soon awakened from my stupor by the straining vocals of "Broken." I can hold my head up in confidence now. This band is not going to get me. They're just young lads learning the rock and roll trade. Yes, they've got talent; yes, they can tightly play some chord changes in the rock and roll tradition; but I've heard all this before, from somewhere in the Northwest (although a slight earthy/Atlanta vibe is going on too). I'll keep an eye on 12 Stones. They'll win over a vanilla crowd, but no one'll fall in love ... just yet.
Editors' ratings - Doug 2/5, Jason 2/5
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestWhile I write this, the band is on a US tour with label mates Creed. So, who are the 12 Stones? Well, this is a modern rock band consisting of four young guys. With this self-titled product they present a debut that was produced by Jay Baumgardner (who has worked with Papa Roach, Coal Chamber and others). This resulted in a disc that sounds heavier than the average modern rock CD that I've come…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Brian A. Smith12 Stones is the latest entry into the "heavy melody" category, doing their best to incorporate the sounds of Creed, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Rage Against the Machine, and P.O.D. into their music. Interestingly enough, Wind-Up Records had scheduled them to open for the recently cancelled Creed tour. The approach here parallels Creed almost identically: hard rock music, guitar solos,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglPerhaps owing to New Orleans' thriving live music scene, the path to widespread exposure for Louisiana's 12 Stones has been a relatively short one. Hailing from Mandeville, a rural town of roughly 8,000 just north of the Crescent City, the band was invited to play for industry representatives in New York after only a dozen or so live shows and netted a major-label deal with Wind-up Records less…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dr. Bruce L. ThiessenFirst-time listener beware! Due to the conspicuous verisimilitude on the first track between the music of 12 Stones and Creed, you may be tempted to prematurely label these 70's retro rockers as a cookie-cutter-Creed-knock-off band. 12 Stones are obvious aficionados of the ubiquitous Creed, and significantly influenced by them, but a closer, longer listen will reveal an appreciably distinctive…Similar sounding releases
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