Album review – Joe Stamm Band’s “Little Crosses”

Joe Stamm Band released last month, on July 11th, one of the most awaited albums of the year, “Little Crosses“, two years after the acclaimed “Wild Man” (that I reviewed there). Produced by AI Torrence, who works as guitarist for The Allegheny High, Charles Wesley Godwin’s band, and recorded at Music Garden Studios, New Brighton, PA, it’s Joe Stamm’s Band’s fourth LP.

One month and a half later the release, and after several listens all along the summer, we have enough perspective to appreciate the quality of the album and remove any potential doubt: “Little Crosses” is a cohesive and brilliant album, full of masterful songwriting, and undoubtedly a very strong contender for album of the year.

With “Wild Man“, Joe Stamm Band had set a very high standard. That’s why releasing a new LP was a real challenge. Finally, “Little Crosses” is more than a worthy successor: the band keeps improving the quality of their work in every way.

“Hold On To Me” and “Territory Town” are two of the best songs ever made by the band, with a quality of songwriting that is really impressive. Both are particularly outstanding, but they’re not the only ones. “Forward“, with the use of cello that gives it a distinctive style, is a true masterpiece with wonderful storytelling. And when tou listen to the splendid “How to quit“, you have another evidence of Joe Stamm’s impressive talent when it comes to write a song and sing it with such a tremendous voice.

“The Wind is Up and Walking” is also particularly fascinating, for its distinctive and somewhat mysterious style, its songwriting and its wonderful musical quality. Its second part is absolutely amazing. This song is a real gem.

Some songs have more traditional country vibes, like the wonderful “Foldin’ Cash“, that includes awesome harmonica, and the brilliant “Home“.

“Hopefully“, a beautifully written song, the powerful “Cold” and the catchy title track are also fantastic songs. The album ends with “Wolf Man“, cowritten with the guitarist Dave Glover, an excellent song with rock vibes and great electric guitars.

Maybe “Little Crosses” is not as country as was “Wild Man“, with more prominent rock vibes. But Joe Stamm Band has never been a traditional country band. They also have lot of rock and red dirt influences, that they mix perfectly to make their own music, that they like to describe as black dirt country rock. Anyway, “Little Crosses” is a brilliant album full of authentic, relatable and masterfully written songs.

Nicolas Davelu