Over the last few years, the good ol’ boys from Kentucky, Black Stone Cherry have put out consistent and strong record after record. The Human Condition is no exception. These boys continue putting out banger after banger.

Having wrapped up recording JUST before the state of Kentucky shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the self-produced album almost seems prophetic in some ways. Many of these songs were written throughout the years, as the band recorded them, bringing new life to them. Each song seems to tell a story or an experience that anyone may be going through.

“If you believe everything they say, well, you might be a fool”, a key lyric to “Some Stories”, a classic-sounding BSC tune appears to ring true with today’s political climate and social media. Another prophetic turn comes from the very first lyric of “Ringin’ In My Head”, which kicks off the album with a call to attention: “People, people, your attention please/I need to tell you about a new disease”.

“In Love With The Pain” just recently dropped with a powerful music video showing young love that keeps giving and giving, even when she has to leave and he doesn’t want her to leave on her journey. Almost everyone can relate to that feeling.

“The Chain” is another classic BSC song that harkens back to their sound from Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Carrying their hard hitting crunch, with bit of country twang, I can see this one being a fan favorite at live shows.

A surprising addition to the album is a cover of Electric Light Orchestra‘s “Don’t Bring Me Down”. Putting their own spin on it, Ben (guitars) rhythm guitar has a crystal clear crunchiness to its sound that is just so much fun to listen to. John Fred (drums) manages to keep his animalistic drumming untamed, but with the perfect amount of restraint of knowing when to drum and when to not.

Chris’s vocal performance and guitar work is on top form on the album, as well. Before the band went in to record, he had had vocal surgery. One wouldn’t know about it, but his vocals just seem stronger and more soulful than before.