Thirteen Stars - Ramshackle Jam album re

Thirteen Stars – ‘Finest Ramshackle Jam’

Album review by; Mark

Thirteen Stars are a new band to me and having heard this album I’m wondering why I’ve never come across these guys from the wild west of Cumbria before. The say their style is Southern Rock with a Bluesy/Country swing with influences including Blackberry Smoke, The Quireboys, and The Black Crowes and that is a perfect way to describe them.

The album has 15 tracks ranging from 2:35 minutes for “Running So Long” to 7:25 minute for the last track on the album, “Only A Soldier”. Each track seems to be the perfect length, with nothing over extended for the sake of it. With so many tracks I won’t try to give a track by track review as I am not sure this would do the album justice, so instead I’ll pick out my favourite tracks. And that’s not to say the other songs are any less good, this whole album is littered with gems.

So we start with “I’m Ready”, the first track on the album. This sets the laid back and relaxed theme for the album with vocals from Hoss Thompson which sounds as if he gargles gravel with straight bourbon – the perfect southern rock voice.

The next track, “Running So Long” has a more Tom Petty or Travelling Wilburys sound and is definitely one which could (and should) get good radio airplay.

The fourth track on the album, “Give It Good” has a more Temperance Movement sound merged with that classic southern rock style. This is a song which will be ideal for a live festival as you can’t help but move to that rhythm.

Track number nine, “Mint Jelly” starts with a classic driving rhythm and is another song to get the feet tapping and the head bobbing. Yet another track to groove along to at a gig.

The last song “Only A Soldier” brings the album to a close with a huge crescendo, an epic song to end on. 7 minutes passes so quickly you’ll want to press rewind and listen to this again and again.

Having picked out 5 songs and reading back I could easily have written about all of the tracks. The joy of this album is that whilst it stays true to the bands southern rock style there is something here for everyone and everyone will pick out their own personal favourites. Each track has its own influences and yet everything goes together to make a great collection of songs. Nothing on this album is filler.

For fans of Blackberry Smoke, The Quireboys or The Black Crowes this album will suit you down to the ground. The songs are classic fair for southern rock with great vocals and guitar work. Finest? Definitely! Ramshackle? There is nothing untidy or broken here. Jam? Well this album is definitely sweet and makes you lick your lips. If you are already a fan then you are in for a treat, if like me you are new to the band then this will definitely make you want to listen to more. Now all I want is to see them perform live.

4 out of 5 stars – buy this, play it, smile. Then play it some more.

Thirteen Stars are;

Hoss Thompson on vocals and guitar

Jax Sedgwick on guitar

Mike Reidon bass

Andy Bates on drums

‘Finest Ramshackle Jam’ was launched on 19th June 2020.

The band can be found at:

Official Website: https://www.thirteenstarsuk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThirteenStars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13_starsuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt3pEsMdP6CYVtwbLKBx0xw