The Pink Stones – You Know Who
The sophomore record from Athen, GA-based Pink Stones is pretty much what you would think a band from such a storied, eclectic music scene would sound like: creative, fun, and wildly original. Like the local legends that paved the scene before them – The B-52’s, R.E.M., Love Tractor and Widespread Panic and others – they all sound nothing alike yet have a kinship in their devotion to simply writing great music you can’t help but love.
You Know Who, co-produced by Henry Barbe (Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter) and frontman Hunter Pinkston, is a brilliant mix of classic Country and Indie Rock. The album’s opener, “Roses & Poppies” sounds like a classic Texas Waltz, but it’s the next song, the addictive Cosmic Country “Baby, I’m Still Right Here (With You)” featuring a duet with Nikki Lane, that seals the deal. “Who’s Laughing Now,” with Teddy and the Rough Riders, is another obvious high point for the record. The album also includes appearances John James Tourville (of The Deslondes) and Annie Leeth.
Pinkston’s clear, but distinctive vocals drive home just how much fun he’s having with these songs and that just adds to the appeal. The band is made up of local musicians who play in other Athens-based bands (including former members of the Drive-By Truckers and The Glands). “This record was me trying to take everything I love as a listener and a player and shove it all into one thing without it sounding random,” says Pinkston. “There’s obviously a lot of country and rock in our music, but there’s a lot of gospel and soul and psych and dub. I really wanted to get all of those things living peacefully together in one record.”
That joy is obvious with even just a casual listen of You Know Who. And the eclectic nature of his influences just adds to the charm of the music and fits naturally into Athen’s impressive history.
Find more information here: https://www.thepinkstones.com. and the music here: https://thepinkstones.bandcamp.com/album/you-know-who