Worry Stones – You Don’t Know What You’re In For / 2003 Worry Stones Music / 10 Songs / http://www.worrystones.com / [email protected] / Released April 2003 / Reviewed 06 January 2004

While I understand that the Worry Stones are literally masters of their instruments, a number of their songs really tend to go towards the Matchbox 20 / Nickelback / Puddle of Mudd vein of things. As such, they start to morph all together, and would not be discerned from the large mass of similar sounds. However, when the Worry Stones actually go to their blues and country roots, some good things happen. In “Turn Around”, this same radio savvy is present, but Tim’s vocals hearken back to a slightly earlier time in alternative rock, this time going back to Dishwalla, Counting Crows, and Blues Traveler. The guitar solo in “Turn Around” is conducted with a level of talent that would make Richie Sambora jealous. This track is obviously the radio hit, the theme song, and the most endearing track on the disc, if not for the gratuitous mentioning of the band’s name in the chorus or the aforementioned reasons.

However, the rest of the tracks of “You Don’t Know”, while all having a very lively tempo, don’t shine as much as “Turn Around”. While “Land Lover” throws multi-part harmony and piano into the mix, the song makes the band seem like one of the umpteen frat-circuit rock bands currently out. The recording on this disc is lush, with each track a possible radio hit. Even if the Worry Stones go the path gone by innumerable other college-rock bands, they will always be above ninety percent of the other popular music out on radio, on MTV, in the bars and college halls of America due to the ability of each member to play incredibly, as well as make a coherent sound. For example, I love R.A.M.B.O., but I’m not even sure if they can play their instruments – the Worry Stones here, can.

I would not be surprised if I saw the Worry Stones on mTV or Vh1 in the next few years. They play a style of music that will always be popular and do it in the best way I’ve ever heard. However, the band, on “You Don’t Know”, does not seem able to generate an original aura around themselves. They have extremely solid musicianship, but at least on this recording, lack that certain something to make people that hear them say: “This is a Worry Stones song.”

Rating : 6.8/10

Top Tracks : I Can’t Believe, Turn Around