Family Tree
Black Stone Cherry · 2018
52 min · 13 tracks · hard rock
A fusion of classic rock swagger and modern grit, this album delivers an emotionally charged sonic experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bad Habit Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Carry Me on Down the Road — This track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and longing with its reflective lyrics and melodic hooks, standing out as a fan favorite.
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Ain't Nobody — The song blends catchy riffs with soulful vocals, showcasing the band's ability to merge classic rock influences with contemporary flair.
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Family Tree — The title track serves as a poignant anthem about heritage and connection, tying together the album's central themes with emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal themes with solid musicianship but lacks a strong cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature prominent guitar solos that serve as focal points, particularly in 'Burnin’' and 'Southern Fried Friday Night'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady mid-tempo groove
- heartfelt lyrics with energy
- for weekend gatherings
- uplifting sing-along moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's relevance and explores their sound in a strong release.
- Themes
- southern heritage· nostalgic longing· family connections
- Career context
- Released in early 2018, Family Tree is Black Stone Cherry's sixth studio album, following the successful Kentucky in 2016. The band was solidifying their position in the hard rock scene while exploring deeper personal themes in their songwriting, marking a significant evolution in their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alter Bridge· Shinedown· Theory of a Deadman
Tracklist
- 1 Bad Habit Start here 3:15
- 2 Burnin’ 3:28
- 3 New Kinda Feelin’ 3:34
- 4 Carry Me on Down the Road 4:34
- 5 My Last Breath 4:18
- 6 Southern Fried Friday Night 3:26
- 7 Dancin’ in the Rain 3:57
- 8 Ain't Nobody 5:09
- 9 James Brown 3:58
- 10 You Got the Blues 4:09
- 11 I Need a Woman 3:19
- 12 Get Me Over You 4:32
- 13 Family Tree 5:10
What to play next
The Human Condition
2020
Continues the emotional depth and rock energy from Family Tree.
Kentucky
2016
Sets the stage with a similar blend of classic and modern rock elements.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Legacy
The Cadillac Three
Shares a similar blend of southern rock swagger and emotional storytelling about heritage.
Mud
Whiskey Myers
Explores themes of family and nostalgia with a gritty, hard-hitting southern rock sound.
Find a Light
Blackberry Smoke
Combines rock influences with heartfelt lyrics centered on personal connections and roots.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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