Customer Reviews

Born To Howl

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One review writer for a major publication described the Stone Coyotes as "AC/DC meets Patsy Cline." That's about as close as one can get, yet this family trio certainly has a sound both unique and awesome. I was virtually dumbstruck the first time I heard this disk, and it was my first exposure to this band. Their sound is powerful and crunchy, infectious and erotic. Every song on this disk is hot, hot, hot. Barbara's voice is both haunting and searing, and Doug and John form the tastiest rhythm section of any rock band today, bar none. Their cover of Dolly's "Joline" is particularly noteworthy. If you like rock, you absolutely must own this one.

This is a rock band. The Stone Coyotes, a family trio based in Massachusetts, drive home that fact in eleven tracks on their third CD "Born to Howl". This mother, father and son group create aggressive up-tempo music that stands with the best. Guitar, bass and drums taken to the extreme.

The band consists of Barbara Keith on electric guitar and vocals, Stepson John Tibbles on bass and guitar and husband Doug Tibbles on drums. They formed the band after Barbara and Doug pulled back from previous careers and settled in Massachusetts. Barbara had previous success as a folksinger and songwriter in the 70's. Their previous CD's "Church of the Falling Rain" and "Situation Out of Control" introduced the world to their heart pounding, modern edged rock music. "Born to Howl" continues where they left off.

The Stone Coyotes "Sound" starts with Doug's precise beat and pounding rhythms. John's bass fills out and adds sonic texture to the music and his lead guitar work on 3 tracks speaks of greater things to come. Barbara Keith's vocals lead the music with confident phrasing, dead on tone and pure passion. Barbara's guitar "sings" with as much intensity as her voice. Every track on "Born to Howl" shows this band for what they are, great musicians at the top of their game.

No filler here. From the first track "Shake", a medium tempo portrait of a woman's past to the last track "Call off Your Dogs", an up-tempo rocker about pursuit, this CD doesn't disappoint. "The First Lady of Rock" tells the story of a women trying to make it as a rock musician. Barbara sings and plays her guitar like this song is about her life and maybe it is? On the track "Jolene", they cover an old Dolly Parton song and make it their own. John's guitar solo is a highlight. A standout song "Bound to Burn" has a punk like modern sound mixed with hard rock guitar work. Barbara's vocal carries the tempo forward with near perfect intensity.

The production is clear and solid. Barbara Keith's voice sounds distinct across all tracks and the balance between instruments rings true. Doug's drums dominate when required and drive the tempo through all eleven tracks.

Tony Wilkey

The freshest rock in years comes from a middleage rocker named Barbara Keith. I love this album. My 10 year old daughter and I are both inspired to play the guitar and rock. Nothing false here. Long live the Stone Coyotes. I'm seeing them next week and I am stoked.

There are very few things that need to be said about the new Stone Coyotes album "Born to Howl"....that it is the beat that is keeping the heart of rock and roll pumping is the least of them.

Again, Barbara, Doug, and John have released an album that keeps you listening from beginning to end and then makes you turn around and come back for more. Barb's songs have continued to ripen and if she can write an album like this each year (Situation Out of Control was released less than a year ago!) you could only call her writing "prolific"...

"The First Lady of Rock" is nothing short of an anthem, while the heartbreaking retake on Barb's 30 year old classic "Detroit or Buffalo" makes the song sound fresh while keeping her sounding like she is still 25. "Torn Asunder" is an instant mover and shaker and you'll find yourself in places you never thought imaginable while you are in the midst of the hauting "Four Times Gone"...

If you haven't heard The Stone Coyotes, now is the time to start...and kick yourself for waiting this long. But certainly it is never too late to discover a good thing, just as it is never too soon for another dose of Coyote music.

all i know is that i put this cd on and rocked right out of my mind. the concierge in my building was banging on the door at 3:30am catching me in a moment...shakin' around my apartment out of control. love love love it!

I'm having a little trouble understanding the previous reviewer--What's with the insane anger? And why do you keep reviewing them if you obviously don't understand or like the music? Is there something personal? Does it make you mad that everybody seems to like/love this amazingly cool band? We love them here in new Orleans, and they haven't even toured here yet...but we're keeping our fingers crossed. Can't wait to get the new cd that we've heard some of on xm.

this is a beautiful and powerful piece of work;with a subtext almost mythic in its resonance.barbara keith is back from the underworld after 25 years sounding stronger and fresher than ever and storming the halls of rock and roll heaven.buy this record and howl with the stone coyotes.

Here's the recipe for a perfect summer; get on any highway, play The Stone Coyotes' "Born to Howl" and transcend. My particular roadway is the 405 in LA - when traffic is clear, the sun is out, and "The First Lady of Rock" is shreiking out of the speakers, there is no better ride on this planet. This is the music of the ages, always there, always new, the best rock EVER. "Shake" shakes up our complacency, "Rock it" drives home our need to get out and sing to the stars. The Tibbles team of bass and drums is the most pulsating rhythm section in the hemisphere, pushing songs like "Bound to Burn" and "Call off Your Dogs" with wild intensity. Barbara Keith's genius words, glorious voice and heat-seeking guitar burn into the mind and soul. "Four Times Gone" is a study in new dimensions, "Jolene" a fantastic ode to Dolly's brilliance, "Death of the American Song" an ageless call to the best of our musical roots. Get on the road and crank this album - you'll discover where the wild ones have gone!!

First Lady of Rock.

This song is just the coolest.

The greatest inspiration for all the aspiring grrl guitarists and singers like me

This is the second Stone Coyotes album I've heard, and all I can say is that it's boring, predictable, and very overrated (apparently, judging from the Amazon reviews). I would only think this was decent if I came across this band at a bar and had had a few beers. Imagine Bonnie Raitt fronting ZZ Top and you're halfway there, except that they're barely half as good as that would be. Barbara Keith may have a decent voice, but she sings here with little true energy and no variation -- if you like one of these songs, you're bound to like them all, because they pretty much sound alike. The best song is their cover of "Jolene," because it's a great song and it's not theirs.

If you stopped paying attention to rock in about 1980, and classic rock radio is as cutting edge as you care to be, I can see where you're coming from liking these guys. If punk and other risk-takers in rock since then have been too scary for you, then this band may be for you. If you want to hear some truly great women in rock, though, listen to P.J. Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, or Neko Case, to name but a few.