I don't know what it is, but I love rock bands from Minneapolis. The Replacements, The Jayhawks, The Hold Steady, Tapes N' Tapes...now you can add High On Stress to the list.
Cop Light Parade is the new album from the band. Combining rock and country influences, it's difficult to avoid drawing comparisons between High On Stress and a great number of great bands (The 'Mats, Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, and Blue Rodeo are some of the first that spring to mind).
The songs are gritty and twangy. Good old fashioned guitar, bass and drums is a proven formula; one which High On Stress carried out very well.
The music does just enough to support the songs without dominating. That allows the lyrics, and the soulful nature of singer Nick Leet's vocals, to take centre stage.
Speaking of the songwriting, there are some very clever lyrics on the album. "Rhode Island"'s 'I've got one foot out and you know I've got one more' offers an ultimatum without having to be so uncouth as to say it bluntly. While the wisdom of 'Rock n' roll can kiss my ass, it's never saved anyone' really does speak for itself ("Table 8 In Queens").
Anyone who still isn't satisfied by the recent spate of Paul Westerberg releases should really check out High On Stress to get their fix.
You can stream the songs from Cop Light Parade here.
Best tracks: "Abbey Rose", "Rhode Island"
Track listing for Cop Light Parade:
- Cop Light Parade
- Abbey Rose
- White Sugar
- Memorial Day
- Table 8 In Queens
- We Could Have Been Nobody
- Rhode Island
- My White Pages
- Trample With Care
- Partner In Crime
- Tomorrow Is Coming At a Bad Time
- Awakened By the Night
7.5
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