Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Christopher Shayne unleashes their debut album, Turning Stones, packing a punch of metal, country, and grunge. At every turn, Christopher Shayne lures their listener into a land of outcries from outlaws in a warm desert of sound.
Christopher Shayne: Riders of the Stones
“Give A Damn” opens with an acoustic steel guitar sound under the powerful vocals of Christopher Shayne. As the instrumentals join in, a heavy sound opens up with metal undertones underneath a bluegrass melody. With vocals shouting in the background, “Give A Damn” plays like an anthem of country rock.
An intricate guitar shreds an AC/DC kind of vibe in “Rock Show” unleashing a raw instrumental sound. Showcasing a wide range of vocal ability, not only in pitch, but in genre, Christopher Shayne creates a new groove of country grunge, sounding like a band who is in the peak of their prime, working off of the ’70s and ’80s rock sounds before them.
Christopher Shayne’s vocals in “The River Revival” are reminiscent of the late Layne Staley: alternative, grungy, sexy, and an expert in the language of music. The background vocals play against the huskiness of Shayne’s vocals and the guitar solos before the breakdown of the song creates a buildup to the communal energy as a female vocal wails above.
“Turning Stones” is a short interlude of instrumentals with a bluegrass melody on a twanging guitar; like an old man playing a steel guitar on his front porch in a hot desert neighborhood.
Issuing a softer guitar strumming paired with a heavy percussion and deep bass, “When I Come Down” unfolds a unique song structure that keeps the listener on their toes. With overlapping lyrics and extraordinary background harmonies, the rough but incredible lead vocals from Christopher Shayne soak up the spotlight.
With that very familiar Alice In Chains rhythm and melody, “Home” explodes in a desert wind of sound with an intense beat: “Save me from this desperate land.” The guitars and bass converge together for an alternative sound and a slower paced chorus with a bit of syncopation.
“Find Our Way” is a slower song full of genuine feeling, passionate vocals, and key progressions, “trying to find our peace.” Similarly, the finale of Turning Stones, “Black Mariah” is a ballad melody of purity with the tender vocals of Christopher Shayne above a reflective and at times dissonant piano, which will “blow you all away.”
