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Black Candy Store: Back to the Wall

Melodic Alt/Modern Rock

Rating: 3.75/5.0

7Hard Records
www.myspace.com/blackcandystore
www.7hard.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  03.21.2010

It's not difficult to tell who has influenced France's Black Candy Store on their debut Back to the Wall. This work is well grounded in the Seattle sound with strong hints of Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or the Stone Temple Pilots. Brothers Arno and Julien make no apologies for the influences, and they don't have to. Black Candy Store nails the diversity and intrigue of this classic Nineties sound on every song.

The song composition reflects the inherent experimentation and eclecticism that drove that era as it pushed away from the current conventions. BCS's rock grooves are ambitious, and can vary from subtle to heavy. Like their 90's predecessors, the vocals are often passionate and emotional. However, Julien seemed to lack definition and stamina throughout. Overall, Black Candy Store maintains a vibrant melodic sensibility making their music attractive and accessible. The title track, Someday, The Pledge, and Wounded are bristling and entertaining in their creativity and power. Recall, a heavier rock song, is a signature song and, by itself, displays the depth of BCS's influences.

If you dig all things that the Seattle/Grunge revolution spurned, then you will love Black Candy Store's debut Back to the Wall. This a diverse and entertaining interpretation of that sound for the modern day.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you dig all things that the Seattle/Grunge revolution spurned, then you will love Black Candy Store's debut Back to the Wall. This a diverse and entertaining interpretation of that sound for the modern day.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]