Kevin Stonerock Party Of One 

Like many of his contemporaries, it is likely that in terms of making his music Kevin Stonerock is essentially making it for a ‘party of one.’ First and foremost, it is a labour of love, but one that is there to reach out to a wider audience of like-minded listeners. As with his previous six albums, this falls neatly under the country/Americana category. It is easy to like these songs, with Stonerock’s lively vocal presence and melodic sensibility. He has assembled a set of supportive players, including Gabriel Stonerock on guitars, fiddler Shane Guse and Ed Ringwald on pedal steel. They have a driving rhythm section that includes Stonerock himself on bass, with drummer Derrick Carnes. Stonerock also adds acoustic and baritone guitar. His songs tell tales of small towns, past memories and those, seemingly large, problems that everyone of a certain age faces. 

Summer Time, for instance, looks back at a time when it seemed there was a simplicity to how the pace of life was, back as one was growing up, a time when “dreams overcome reality.” Then, conversely, with Down Home Ain’t Down Home Anymore, he sees the other side of that coin as he faces the changes that are happening, with people who used to leave doors unlocked no longer having that sense of community. That may seem a slightly rose coloured view but is never-the-less a common one when looking back. This theme continues with This Old House, which reminisces on the home and house he grew up in and where his recollections of family began and remain. Equally he recognises that things are never without complications or issues, noting that “in this world there will always be trouble” in North Of November, in a time that he never remembers feeling colder. 

That sense of nostalgia tinged with uncertainty pervades the themes. The title track takes the satisfaction that lies in being comfortable within one’s own skin and company, something that comes across over the album. Here he is the master of ceremonies, making the album that this time in his life demands, something that can easily be understood, even if the references largely relate to his Midwest upbringing. Neither is he unaware of times that might’ve been forgotten but were undoubtedly not without a sense of distraction and devilment. In  I Heard That I Had A Good Time has him recalling that although things might not have gone to plan he was left “standing on the corner of Misery and Wine / I’m walking in the rain / I’m walking in the rain / But I guess I can’t complain ‘cause I guess I had a good time.”

Within the same mind-set is the gentle love song, All Those Years Ago, where he asks that he be forgiven for all the mistakes he made, but declaring that he won’t forget the love they shared. The final track kicks up the dust with the swing of Sidewinder, which it seems is a train, a car and a love interest, all delivered with the enthusiasm that is shared throughout the album. Kevin Stonerock is undoubtedly a talented player, singer and writer who has made an album he must feel happy with, and one that could easily please others. It is undemanding but leaves the listener feeling uplifted and knowing they have spent the time in good company.

Stephen Rapid, Lonesome Highway, March 2025

John Apice - Americana Highways

Kevin Stonerock – Party Of One

Kevin is a Midwest artist & rather than tag him as a country artist with folk leanings or dismiss him as just another Americana singer I believe his place in music is more as a troubadour in the Dave Van Ronk, Eric Schmidt & Fred Neil mold. That trio covered a wide range & were never of any genre though some fans of a specific type would “claim them” as their own. These were not commercially driven mainstream tainted performers but true roots artists. They didn’t play music as much as the music played through them. Like a medium.

Produced by Kevin Stonerock (lead & harmony vocals/harmonica/banjo/acoustic, rhythm & electric guitars/Danelectro baritone guitar/Gretsch Country Gentleman electric guitar/Fender bass/fretless U-bass) the 13 songs on Party Of One (Drops March 8/TwoMoon Records) are meant for all. While a tinge of old-fashioned country in “Bad Memory Lane” runs through Kevin’s musical power line, the current is refreshing in its modernized conventions.

Stonerock’s cerebral vocals are surrounded by an oom-pah-pah beat, fiery fiddle & torrents of varied guitars that lend a nice powerhouse delivery. The musical approach appears welcomingly again on “Sidewinder” that name checks an old DeSoto. Wow. Music of the vintage, traditional country style like this in the hands of the right artist can still be a melodic activity — it can get weak limbs back out on the dance floor. And if that isn’t a natural medication, I don’t know what could be.

“It Won’t Be Long,” & the catchy “Nothing Dies Slower” have more of a chiming guitar drive & an arrangement similar to how the late Gram Parsons wanted to merge rock n’ roll with old-fashioned country elements. Obviously, it works nicely here. It enlivens these melodies & on the first, the balladry’s backup vocal subliminally supports Kevin’s strong voice. Another token tune that radiates is “Summer Time” — a radio-friendly song in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” & just as good. “Atlanta In Reverse” has a dependable Marty Stuart/Billy Burnette drive & here, Kevin owns it.

I prefer music such as this to avoid vocal treatments, electronic tinkering, echo, or whatever was used on some tunes. I understand it adds presence, but this is country-inflected music & should be pure. There’s a reason wine has sediment. Other than that, Stonerock’s material is consistently good — he’s always understood his art.

Highlights – “Bad Memory Lane,” “It Won’t Be Long,” “All Those Years Ago,” “Sidewinder,” “Nothing Dies Slower,” “Down Home,” “Summer Time” & “Atlanta In Reverse.”

Musicians – Shane Guse (fiddle/mandolin), Ed Ringwald (pedal steel guitar/dobro), Gabriel Stonerock (electric guitar/Gretsch Country Gentleman electric guitar/solo guitar/organ), Derrick Carnes (drums/harmony), Abby Carr & Stacey Lee Guse (harmony vocals).

Americana Highways, March 2025

Classy and Charming Classic Country Style Americana

When Kevin Stonerock got in touch offering us his new album I'd genuinely forgot I'd reviewed his last album TWILIGHT TOWN five years ago ... and how much I'd liked it.
When the new album arrived I was a bit busy, so put it to one side for a few days; and with TWILIGHT TOWN in mind actually got a bit excited at the prospect of listening to his new songs!
Thankfully that excitement was proven correct; as PARTY OF ONE has been a fabulous soundtrack to a dip in my mood swings and managed to get me through a couple of rough days.
That's the power of music right there!
Apparently it's taken five years between albums, as he was quite specific in who would play alongside him on the album and ... as the reviews for TWILIGHT TOWN were so positive, he worried he may have 'peaked' and may not be able to replicate that success.
Fear not Kevin, fear not!
The party gets started right from the off with the jaunty Bad Memory Lane, another razor sharp observational song that conjures up memories of Jimmy Buffett or maybe even Charly Pride the way he blends the cooler side of Country Music with the edgier ends of Americana in his storytelling.
The tempo remains at 'toe tapping' and 'shuffling' level throughout Nothing Dies Slower and the fiddlicious Down Home, where Kevin looks back on his home town through rose coloured glasses, but they come off when he talks about the same town today.
In many ways PARTY OF ONE is the type of Country album that people think isn't made anymore; yet here it is in all it's contemporary glory, with only occasional nods to the past, and most importantly, without the need for hard rocking guitars and songs about Girls, Guns and Glory (and beer!) ... these songs are aimed at 'middle America' (or 'middle anywhere') and especially music fans who appreciate a well crafted song that tells a story without patronising the listener; with the quaint North of November, It Won't Be Long and/or the bewitching All Those Years Ago being great examples of his songwriting and arranging ... making that five year wait well worth it.
Stonerock really can catch you unawares with his storytelling, mostly because his catchy melodies lull you into a false sense of security, until you find yourself going 'Really? Wow!' when the stories unravel...
The clever story about a young unrequited love, Anything That Opens The Can is a prime example, just as you are nonchalantly tapping you toes he delivers these lines ...
"Oh no there she goes
Home Run  for the team
He can have her backyard tan
I’m working on a brand new plan 
It’s called Anything that opens the can
Sometimes life just falls in place
Some days you roll the dice
Sometimes you walk away, sometimes you take a stand
Anything that opens the can"

While I've enjoyed listening on cold and wet February afternoons, Stonerock has the ability to make us believe every day is a Summers' day ... especially the breezy 'lost love' of Atlanta in Reverse, the title track Party of One too and of course the mercurial Summer Time, another tune when he looks back on the hazy crazy days of youth in a romantic fashion.
There's a charm across all of these songs that make them very 'listenable' indeed, especially with the world is going to 'Hell in a Handcart' around us, which brings me to my selection of Favourite Song.
As you'd expect that hasn't been easy as I Heard I Had a Good Time, albeit the theme being nothing new, Stonerock manages to recount his story with a twinkle in his eye while accompanied by a 'solid gold Country support system' in the background.
Then, there's the final track the metaphor laden Sidewinder, a fabulous tale of a lady of a 'certain age' who still has an eye for a man; and the younger the better!
"She’s just an old sidewinder
Boys don’t let her get too close to you
She’s just an old sidewinder
Boys don’t let her get too close to you
Because when she shake that tail
Ain’t no telling what she’s gonna do!"
Then, there's This Old House which is exactly what you'd hope it would be, and I'm a sucker for stories like this about someone moving on, but feeling the need to 'sit on the porch' one last time ... reliving the halcyon days of youth and more; that will never be repeated as life shifts into another chapter.
I have a list of words that I can slip into reviews to make me seem educated and knowledgeable; but in the nicest possible way while Party Of One has its sadder moments, I can't see past using 'nice', 'balanced', 'pleasant' and 'charming' to describe what's on offer ... and I can't think of a better set of compliments.

PS The cover photo would have been more than enough to make me pick the LP/CD out of a rack in a record shop btw.

The Rocking Magpie, March 2025

“Twilight Town” Has Storyteller’s Muscle

Well, one thing’s certain, anyone who likes Jimmie Dale Gilmore, or The Flatlanders will find Kevin Stonerock’s first cut interesting. Kevin isn’t imitating he’s just comfortably in that style of countryfied vocal tone with a little rock embellishment, winding pedal steel guitar, a traditional country with outlaw edge. At least on the lead-off track.

“Too Young to Quit,” is perfectly suited to this Gilmore flavor. But by track 2 a deeper Tex Ritter tradition paints “Go Ahead On,” & “Railroad Man,” — this isn’t corny stuff this has storyteller’s muscle.

The Midwest-raised Kevin Stonerock has bonafide Americana in his veins. Roots rock sprinkled with generous amounts of traditional country straw, the lost country & western that always had great stories...read more

 ...There are occasions when lyrics resonate in ways they shouldn’t, and one of them was this. “Hanging on to things that do not matter. Acting like a sane man in disguise”. It gives a real pause for thought when you actually were just enjoying a sort of Dan Baird type slice of rock n roll in your garden. That’s genuine skill.

“Go Ahead On” makes good on his assertion that he “was Americana before the term was invented” and the guitar solo here, played by Gabriel is perfect, it really is.

The same could be said about much of this. “Railroad Man (Brakeman’s Lament)” is the sort of stuff this type of music was made for – its hard to pick a highlight in a record so consistently good, but this would be close. Interesting too, that I heard the words “old boomer” and assumed it was about one thing, when in reality that is a term used for a type of freelance Railway Man.

“Life Of The Party” sounds like it was made for the honky-tonk (or at least what an Englishman like me imagines to be a honky tonk) and the glam rocker in me read the title “Gypsy Road” and immediately imagined a Cinderella cover. Where this road goes, though, is darker... read more