Is Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea a good place to start with Black Stone Cherry?

Yes, Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea is recommended as a starting point for new Black Stone Cherry listeners. A gritty blend of southern rock and hard rock infused with personal storytelling and anthemic melodies. Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea is Black Stone Cherry's third studio album, following their self-titled debut in 2006 and Folklore and Superstition in 2008. At this point, the band was solidifying their sound and presence in the hard rock scene, continuing to build on the momentum they had gained from their earlier successes.

Who is Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea for?

Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea works well if you're into short, punchy song bursts, energetic driving motivation and raw emotional intensity.

How many songs are on Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea?

Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea has 12 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea

Black Stone Cherry · 2011

43 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

A gritty blend of southern rock and hard rock infused with personal storytelling and anthemic melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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You and I Start here — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core, showcasing heartfelt lyrics about love intertwined with powerful instrumentation that reflects the band's signature sound.
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Rebel — With its spirited energy and rebellious themes, this song serves as an anthem for individuality and defiance, resonating strongly with the band's audience.
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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea — The title track combines a soulful melody with introspective lyrics, making it a standout example of Black Stone Cherry's ability to balance heavy rock with emotional depth.
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City Blues — This seven-minute closer features an extended instrumental section that showcases the band's musicality and willingness to experiment within their established sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong, anthemic track that sets a high energy level, which is maintained through the first half before shifting to more introspective themes in the latter tracks.
Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns between the lead singer and backing vocals, enhancing the communal feel of the choruses.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier high-energy songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short, punchy song bursts
energetic driving motivation
raw emotional intensity
dynamic lyrical storytelling

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a significant rise in popularity, debuting at number 28 on Billboard 200.
Themes: southern grit· rebellious spirit· personal love stories
Moods: Energetic· Cathartic
Career context: Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea is Black Stone Cherry's third studio album, following their self-titled debut in 2006 and Folklore and Superstition in 2008. At this point, the band was solidifying their sound and presence in the hard rock scene, continuing to build on the momentum they had gained from their earlier successes.
Stylistic neighbors: Alter Bridge· Shinedown· Theory of a Deadman