Review of Joe Stamm Band’s Album “Little Crosses”

ley Godwin, Joe Stamm knows how to tap into the most potent moments in life as the setting in his songs. Like Shane Smith and the Saints, he then uses swelling waves of sonic movements to enhance the experience. Godwin’s bandleader Al Torrence acting as producer brings a grand vision to these songs that utilize the greatest assets of Appalachia music, Heartland rock, and some country. But the ultimate results are all native to the Joe Stamm Band. They like to call it “Black Dirt Country Rock.”Since the Joe Stamm Band never characterized themselves as country purists or anything other than themselves, this gives them the permission to impress more ambient intros on songs like “Cold” and “The Wind Is Up and Walking,” with the latter turning into an outright metal song by the end. Little Crosses comes with enhanced texturing throughout, but this also includes the more understated, and more country sounds of “Foldin’ Cash” about a beggar looking for reprieve, or the hearthy moments of “Home.” Sometimes this album relies more on musical power than it does lyrical mastery to get its point across, like on the final song “Wolf Man.” Sometimes the music gets in the way of easily understanding the lyricism in a way that inadvertently diminishes the writing. But it’s still songs like “Hold On To Me” that define the experience where the story evokes the worst of times, but the best of love. The Joe Stamm Band have been trying to make it as outsiders of the fold for a dozen years now. But as they prove once again on Little Crosses, they deserve every ounce of attention out there flowing to others, if not more. It is industry-leading songs and an industry-leading sound that has resulted in overwhelming respect from peers, and pure passion from the initiated. 8.3/10 – – – – – – – – – Purchase from the Joe Stamm Band