In a world overflowing with polished productions and auto-tuned perfection, it’s refreshing to stumble upon a record that feels like it was born in a smoky backroom jam session. Australian blues duo The Stomp’n Ramblers — consisting of Owen Mancell on slide guitar, stomp box, and vocals, and Ryan Stone on harmonica — have dropped their debut full-length Kick’n Stones, a stripped-down celebration of roots blues that hits with authentic punch.
This album is very much a product of reconnection and reinvention in the wake of the pandemic. Ryan and Owen were previously playing in the Sydney-based blues-rock outfit The Blind Pilots, building a solid rep at local breweries and bars. When lockdown hit, with Ryan up near Brunswick Heads and Owen holding down the Northern Beaches, they kept the creative fire alive by exchanging song ideas via app texts. What emerged from that isolated collaboration is Kick’n Stones: a raw, no-frills exploration of the blues that feels both timeless and urgently present.
Clocking in at 11 tracks, the record wastes no time diving into the grit. Opener “Unkind” sets the tone with Owen’s snarling slide guitar weaving around Ryan’s wailing harmonica, backed by that relentless stomp box rhythm that gives the duo their name. It’s foot-stomping delta blues updated for modern ears — with an Aussie edge that adds a touch of sun-baked swagger.
Kick Some Stones With The Stomp’n Ramblers
The title track “Kick’n Stones” itself is a highlight, blending gritty lyrics about life’s hard knocks with infectious energy. A lesson in slide guitar is provided here with some amazing instrumentation provided by The Stomp’n Ramblers here. The full breadth of the speakers is used to create a ton of sound from the pair.
Standouts abound. “Buried In A Bottle” is a slow-burning lament with haunting lines that evoke late-night regret, while “Reap What You Sow” cranks up the tempo into a boogie shuffle that’s impossible not to move to. Tracks like “Politician” deliver sharp social commentary over driving riffs, and closer “Last Kiss Goodbye” offers a slowed down reflective wind-down that leaves you wanting more.
What makes Kick’n Stones shine is its purity. Just two talented musicians locked in, exploring the blues with obvious joy and skill. The enjoyment of the genre shines through every note, turning potential simplicity into a strength. The Stomp’n Ramblers inject fresh life into the Blues, proving the form is alive and kicking (stones) down under.
If you’re craving authentic blues that reconnects you to the roots while feeling born from real-life reinvention, grab Kick’n Stones. It’s the kind of debut that demands repeat spins to fully appreciate the stomp. Highly recommended for fans of raw, heartfelt indie blues.
