San Francisco bluesy guitar rock band The Stone Foxes released their self-titled debut album to acclaim in 2008.  The follow-up Bears and Bulls is now out and full of the same kind of garage rock with a seventies feel and blues sensibility.  It’s a studio album, but fans will recognize most of the songs from The Stone Foxes’ live shows.  The recording mimics live shows, right down to the occasional hiss and pop, but the sound is much more layered than you can do live.
 
The album starts with “Stomp,” maybe the most aptly titled song ever.  It’s a quick, fun, and cluttered ditty you stomp along with.  “Patience” is a hard-edged rocker with a Black Crowes vibe and excellent guitar and drum work.  Up next is “I Killed Robert Johnson,” one of my favorites on the disc, a bluesier hard rock song with a steady beat, slicing guitar and some of the best vocals on Bears and Bulls.  “Passenger Train” has a little too much country for me, but the lyrics are great.  It’s back to bluesy 70s-style rock with “Young Man,” which has a fabulous instrumental break in the middle and roaring vocals and driving beat throughout.  “Easy” slows things down and has vocal duties split between Avi Vincour (he handles most of the singing duty, but the band switches it up more than most) and Aaron Mort.  It’s a gentle, southern-styled song with lilting melody.  It’s pretty but a bit bland.
 
“Reno” is a cross between a gritty blues number and jam session.  Fun song.  Up next is “Through the Fire,” a ballad with awesome group chorus.  Drummer Shannon Koehler sounds really good on vocals here.  I know “Little Red Rooster” is a classic, but I’ve never really liked it and this version especially leaves me cold.  “Hyde & Pyne” has Avi practically spitting out the verses than getting smoother and gentler for the chorus.  The guitars and drums are full and cluttered.  The song goes on a touch too long, but it’s an excellent example of The Stone Foxes’ core sound..  The harmonica takes center stage on “Mr. Hangman,” a down and dirty blues scorcher complete with foot stomping.  I really like Shannon’s vocals here.  The disc ends on a high note with “Come Again,” a slower southern blues song with terrific harmony.
 
Bears and Bulls is a fun disc.  There are lots of sing/shout along choruses and toe-tapping beats.  It’s fascinating how the band changes up vocals and instruments depending on the song and it gives them a much more unique sound.  If you like bluesy rock or just plain hard-edged garage rock, The Stone Foxes’ Bears and Bulls is for you.
 
Track List:
1. Stomp
2. Patience
3. I Killed Robert Johnson
4. Young Man
5. Easy
6. Reno
8. Through the Fire
9. Little Red Rooster
10. Hyde and Pine
11. Mr. Hangman
12. Come Again