By Marley
It’s not Santa Clause coming to town to bring all the good boys and girls presents. It’s better than a big guy with some reindeer. It’s the Black Cat Bones (BCB) and they are bringing their sound, dirty blues meets bluegrass to all the music loving boys and girls with their new album “Here’s A Knife”.
(photo by The Image Engineer)
The Black Cat Bones is a South African rock band formed in Silverton, Pretoria in 2007. The group consists of members Kobus de Kock jr (vocals) and Andre Kriel (guitars) with Chris van der Walt (bass), Gareth Bunge (Drums) and is considered to be one of the current top performing acts in South Africa. And “Here is a knife” is their 4th album. These Cats have won the MK Award for “Best Live Act” and have been nominated for a SAMA. Anyone who has seen them live can preach to you that they are well deserving of this award and more. And I’m happy to see that I get to hear the new album.
I like to do notes for each song but what struck me from the first song to the last is this is a mature BCB and yet it’s their own sound still banging in my ears. Since hearing them back in 2007 on the legend stage of Blue Moon, I’ve grown with their music. Kicking off with “Newtown” and “The world’s in the Halos” is just what I like about the guys, it’s not slow songs but its also not in your face songs. The group is tight with drummer Gareth now a permanent face behind the kit.
(photo by Small Town Music Blog)
Then comes “Turn of the Century” and “Native Tongue” – holy fuck – BCB in my ears, me standing up like a maniac dancing around the STM office like I’m at a BCB show. Yea I love that when a band can bring that energy to an album. And I know the boys can!
(photo by Small Town Music Blog)
Okay, whoa, let me catch my breath here and let me just talk about “The Well”. What a completely different sound for the BCB. I’m not sure if everyone is going to like it but I say it can go on the radio (which is still the ultimate dream) but it’s really good. It’s also where the title of the album comes from are from these lyrics.
(photo by Small Town Music Blog)
I can be certain somewhere in the Black Cat Bones community at a show you’ll hear the request for “Soldiers”. Well, my friends, the band listened and they have re-recorded “Soldiers” and it’s beautiful as always. I like the rustic of it still but the elements that came together for this recording is just beautiful. Took me back to a place I’ve never been to.
“Bite Me” is my new theme song.
But here is a little surprise that you didn’t expect – a full-blooded Afrikaans song written by Black Cat Bones. It’s kinda strange that most of the boys are Afrikaans speaking and yet they perform in English. “Bloedskenk” – and I will leave it up to you, dear readers to make up your own mind. I love the Afrikaans on them. Yea baby.
This is your Black Cat Bones album as we expected, I love it. I really enjoyed all of the songs, the new sounds, the trademark sounds but what I received is the maturity of the group. Their writing, the way they play their instruments. All of it in one great package. Santa, eat your boots, the Black Cat Bones is coming to town – check out their tour.
Get your copy today online at iTunes SA
