Customer Reviews

12 Stones

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Ferocity and anger at the world and with yourself are extremely heartfelt and sought after topics today in the music industry. However, it is extremely rare to here a band that doesn't utter an obscenity or blame their parents because of their misfortune (a term I use loosely, becuase they do have a record contract.) Very rarely does one see a band that can combine pain with healing words, and can come away without sounding preachy or over-emotional. 12 Stones does this without a hitch, and puts together a fine CD. Paul McCoy, the lead singer, is the pinnacle of versatility, as his screaming does not sound like a little boy's, but rather very developed. However, McCoy chooses to balance his screaming and sing as well, and when tracks like 'The Way I Feel' are heard, you will fall in love with his singing voice as well. The guitars on this album are incredible as well. Repetitive riffs just do not seem to be his bag, as solo after awesome solo assault your ears and make you wonder how a guitarist as young as he is could write such melodies. The drums are good as well, and the basslines are a pretty spectacular feat all in themselves.

The songs on this album deal with questioning in a higher power's existence, the pain of abandonment, seeking refuge when the world is against you, and being on that spiritual high. 12 Stones is a Christian band, but like POD and Blindside choose to be on a secular label and stay in the shadows, not being too preachy, and intriguing people with their subtle views and lyrics that hold much more depth upon closer analysis. This band is awesome, and their lyrics and their vibe show that they are out to do more than just make some dough in the music industry. This album has emotion, it has anger, and it is poetic. It's a good thing bands like 12 Stones exist, and makes me wonder where America's tastes are headed if they continue to get no airplay and bands like Slipknot and Mudvayne continue to sell shirts, CD's and hats by the truckload.

From the label that unleashed Creed to the unwitting masses comes the young upstarts 12 Stones, who defy all cool-band-name principle and set an all-new trend by putting a number at the beginning of their name instead of at the end. Seriously, though, these guys have some eye-opening potential as a hard rock band. Their sound is very similar to Creed, but just a teeny bit heavier; in fact, the opening track ("Crash") reminded me a lot of the opening of Creed's first album. (Okay, enough about Creed already.) These guys actually try to establish a sound of their own, but from this first effort, it may take a while. But hey, at least it sounds like they're trying. 12 Stones is pretty rough around the edges when it comes to coloring outside the lines; most of the songs (okay, all of them) have almost exactly the same beat, and riffs from early on show up again later in the album. That's not to say that there aren't a couple of eyebrow-raising tracks in here, though. "Broken" is a definite stunner, with scream-along vocals tinging the start and finish and a powerful beat (but don't worry if you miss it, you'll hear it again later). "Step Up" gets in your face a bit, and "Open Your Eyes" has a decent sing-along melody. What made me smile the most about these guys, though, is that while Creed only sprinkle their songs with a few spiritual overtones, 12 Stones are quite a bit more straightforward about their faith. Just by the lyrics, you know they're a Christian band, yet they deliver the message with subtlety. It's nice to see them starting off on a big mainstream label, too. ("My Life" even made the "Scorpion King" soundtrack.) While they're not the hottest new thing on the hard rock scene yet, once their sound matures a bit and they start experimenting a little more beat-wise, I think they'll turn some heads in the long run. It's worth the price to see for yourself, at least.

I really am not a fan of Evanescence, but thats how I found out abou 12 Stones, in the small part he had in Bring Me To Life. I thought his voice sounded good, so I listened to a few of the songs on Amazon and bought it. I thought it was amazing. Theyre just good, plain hard rock. Very good lyrics, and at times can be very emotional. Paul McCoy can sing very well, but he can growl equally as well, and its nice when thats thrown in. These guys really have alot of talent, McCoys singing, plus the addition of GUITAR SOLOS, this band has everything that a good hard rock band needs. Theyre not very popular right now, but they will be very soon, I know it. The best tracks on this album, although its hard to just choose a few, I would say are "Crash" "Running Out Of Pain" and "Open Your Eyes". This is one of those rare CDs where every song is exceptional. I would really recommend this CD to anybody, check them out. Im sure youll find alot to like.

P.S.-New CD from 12 Stones, out this summer!

12 Stones is a great band! I've had their CD for over a year and I just wanted to write a review on the CD because it is amazing. Paul McCoy (vocals) is mind blowing, his voice is one of the sexiest I've heard! Here is a more detailed song review:
1. Crash (great way to start the album, a hard hitting song. 4/5)
2. Broken (the single...a great song until it becomes a single, well, not with this one. Still one of the best singles ever. 4/5)
3. The Way I Feel (another single...when I got the CD it was my favourite song but now that it became a single and was played on the TV a lot, it switched but still the lyrics are FN amazing. 5/5)
4. Open Your Eyes (I love the music to this song. A very inspiring song. 4/5)
5. Home (Nice wailing McCoy on vocals, good guitar. Fun song. 4/5)
6. Fade Away (This song is one of the best. Great music, great lyrics. 5/5)
7. Back Up (I don't know about any other 12 Stones fan but this song is so addictive! 5/5)
8. Soulfire (the course is absolutely amazing, I love the lyrics and sound. 5/5)
9. In My Head (great slower type song. McCoy once again is amazing. 4/5)
10. Running Out of Pain (my personal favourite! Amazing lyrics, amazing guitar, amazing music...McCoy is FN "fabulous" in this song. The lyrics are beautifully written and very well put. This song is worth the cost of the CD. 6/5)
11. My Life (good song, powerful lyrics. 5/5)
12. Eric's Song (amazing lyrics, Eric delivers *guitar is amazing. 5/5)

I highly recommend this CD, it's amazing quality and McCoy's voice alone makes the CD even better than it already is. Enjoy.

This CD is awesome! I've been looking for a CD like this with the same type of sound as Creed and Lifehouse but with more Christian lyrics. Even though I consider 12 Stones a
middle of the road band (could be Christian or Secular) like P.O.D., they offer a difference. The difference is that they talk about their problems in their lives like Creed
and Lifehouse do, but 12 Stones offers an alternative in the lyrics, saying that there is Someone to turn to, which is God, so that you can get help with your problems. With Creed and Lifehouse, you have to guess at the interpretation of the lyrics, but with 12 Stones, it's more obvious. Don't get me wrong, I like the sounds of Creed and Lifehouse
and Scott Stapp's singing, but not really the lyrics. For me, I listen to this as a more Christian alternative to Creed and Lifehouse.

Even though the whole album is excellent (I haven't put it down since I bought it on
Thursday), standouts include Crash, Broken, The Way I Feel, Open Your Eyes, Home,
Fade Away, and Soulfire.

So far, this CD is the best I've heard all year with Pillar's "Fireproof" very close behind.

I saw these guys in concert with Theory of a Deadman and Three Doors Down, and I am so glad I did. This album is definite worth a listen. I don't really compare them with Creed except to say that they share the same label. The live performance these guys put on tells me that they put 200% into their music. They are full of energy and are extremely passionate about what they are doing. If you don't have this album, buy it!!!

It is high time that people in the Christian music industry realize that their message does not need to be ostentatious or preachy. The bottom line, is that Christians are real people, just like everybody else, and they are certainly not sitting in pews or looking to do good deeds, and act like wonderful people all of the time. They are real, and so is 12 stones. There is the recognition of the grace that they have, as well as the anger and emotions that cause turmoil in their lives. The sincerity is without a doubt that reason that this music is inspiring and compelling. With songs like "Fade Away" "Broken" and "the Way I feel" there is a healthly release of anger, a clear realization of the truth, and a satisfying purging of the emotions. Of course, this is not to deny or overshadow their lyrical and musical talents, which continue to push and compliment on another througout the entire album, Riffs, singing, screaming, and bridges are all appropriately placed, and the melody that they create is somewhat original and refreshing. Unlike many bands, which only give you a singular, one dimensional picture of anger and bitterness, 12 stones gives you the composite picture of Humanity. There are the ups, the downs, and everything in between. Like the symbolic aspect of their name suggets, they are in a very real sense, complete. They don't linger or make a spectactle of any of their beliefs or ideals, but they do come forth in their song with a very genuine quality. Their outlook on life is more implicit, yet it is highly influential. After all, they do not come out to say: This is what I believe. Yous should, too, because God loves you! That would be humiliating, as some of Christian rock can be. Rather, they come out and say, "This is the way I feel....I am broken inside, and I know, I just know that I need you now...you have done something to me...you have set me on fire....and I will not, no matter what, I will not fade away...this is where I am....and I know I am going home."

The debut album for 12 Stones, a band out of Mandeville, LA, is nothing short of outstanding.

Several tracks on the album are excellent, including Broken, The Way I Feel, Home, Fade Away, Back Up and Eric's Song to name a few.

The comparisons to Creed are not justified because in my view, this debut album is far better sounding than Creed's debut. Yes, Creed and 12 Stones are both on Wind Up Records, but for me, the comparison ends there. The lyrics on the album are well thought out and have a lot of meanings and references to Christ, but I wouldn't really consider 12 Stones to be a so-called Christian band. Let's also keep in mind that this band has been together for less than two years and they've already achieved a great piece of artwork like this.

If I had to put a category on the type of music this is, I could classify it as modern rock. Any fans who are into groups like Linkin Park or Incubus should definitely give it a listen. It will definitely be in my CD player for months to come.

This is one of the absolute stellar CD's that I own. The Tracks "Broken" , "The Way I feel", and "In My Head" are a few that spring to mind,as my personal favorites when I think of this CD. The ability they have to produce a soft, melodic rock sound one second and then break out into intense screaming with heavy guitar riffs the next second is absolutely amazing. I have caught myself constantly listning to this CD, then going to work singing the songs to myself. 12 Stones has a unique sound that I have really grown to appriciate with so many "here today, gone tomarrow" bands that have flashed before us in the last 10 Months.They deserve more respect on MTV, MuchMusic USA, and any other Music Television channel thats promotes Rock bands. Hardly ever have I seen thier videos on, it is too bad for all of them because they are missing out on some of the best new musicians of the Year.

I think this is a great band. I decided to check them out after seeing them on a tv commercial. I was not disapointed. I know music and this is a great band. I still don't think they'll get far because of so many non-diverse bands out there, hopefully I am wrong. I strongly recomened this disc to everyone who likes Linkin Park, Godsmack, or Incubus.