49 Stones

A few of you may have known this band as Emma Jo & The Poets Down Here, but most of you don't. Well over a year ago, drummer Kyle Scheel approached me about a review and I was on the verge of saying no when my better side caved. No promises regarding posting, I said, but I will take a listen.
Truth be told, it was a hell of a listen and I ended up writing and posting a glowing review about the album, but mainly about this one track, Crowded, which to me was a shot of speed during finals week. Unrelenting rhythm and groove combined to give me the rush Deadheads must have gotten when the Dead were on their game. No, they didn't sound like The Dead--- not even close--- but they sounded good! Know what I mean?
Well, The Poets are back, but this time under the guise of 49 Stones. Consider it an alter ego because this is a future and more mature version of The Poets and, man, have they grown! Turn It On may be the present version of the old band (most of the tracks were re-recorded for this project)--- in fact is--- but what a difference! This isn't Emma Jo and anybody! This is a band and, more importantly, 49 Stones and it may get better than this, but not often. These four musicians up the ante with more power--- power guitars, bass and drums which carry each and every re-recorded track into another dimension. Don't believe me? Take a trek to their bandpage on Facebook and listen. When I wrote this review for The Poets' album, I didn't think they could have taken Crowded too much farther, but they did. Emma Jo's vocals are a step beyond, and the band? Let's just say that they are the grownup version of what they once were (and they were damn good then). Scheel's drums are solid and his work alongside bassist Garrett Cox are at certain moments the definition of rhythm section. I would rave about Brett Cox's guitar because he is a monster player, but there are a million excellent guitar players out there, right? Not really. I've seen huge numbers of guitarists who can play guitar but a real guitarist (unless he is solo) needs to fit within the framework of those with whom he plays. Brett Cox does that in spades.
Emma Jo? There is no denying that she is the face and the voice of the band, but she is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and also knows that with the other Stoners, she might just be another rock 'n' roll chick singer. I do not mean that negatively. What I mean is that together, these four have something very special that might not be there in combination with others. She knows she needs them and, conversely, they know they need her and, hell, isn't that what being a band is all about?
Now, I'm not saying that everyone is going to get what 49 Stones is doing. What I am saying is that these guys have something that you may want to hear and if you hear it and you don't get it, fine. Not all of us like Michael Bolton, either. But if you like to rock and you don't even try, you lose right off the bat. If I'd said no to Scheel like I had first thought, I would have missed one of my more favorite bands and a song which gets play whenever I need a pick-me- up. That's right. Whenever I need a shot of adrenaline, Crowded is one of my go-to tracks. And usually I stay to hear the whole album. Again. I don't see that changing anytime soon, especially now that the songs have been given proper treatment.
Man, I need to see these guys live! Like The Bueno of Nine 'N Out says all the time, they have to RAWK! (Rawk is her part. I supplied the rest). Thanks to The Bueno. And thanks to 49 Stones who, with a few listens and a little fan participation, will get the respect they are due. Listen. Then do your part. - Rock and Reprise

Hays isn’t exactly the most exciting place, musically speaking. I can’t imagine why any band would visit, upon further reflection. We’ve got nowhere to stage a concert, and we have just about the most apathetic population of any college town imaginable.
Fortunately, that didn’t stop 49 Stones, an alt rock band out of Kansas City, from braving the dusky environs of the Sip ‘n’ Spin to perform on Saturday night.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the musicianship from 49 Stones. The bright, crisp guitar work, accompanied by the dynamic female lead, contribute to a sound that I can only compare to The Donnas or Veruca Salt. Yeah, they’re that good. The sound that they produce is just plain fun —it’s impossible not to get swept away in dancing, rocking out, or just tapping a foot.

The sound comes, in part, from the incredible lead guitarist, Brett Cox, and the bassist, Garrett Cox. The two of them have a look that just screams “rock star.” Watching the two of them energetically blast through their songs was incredibly impressive.
A special mention goes to Kyle Scheel, the drummer. As a former percussionist myself, I understand that the drummer is always the least appreciated member of the band. Scheel doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was the first thing I noticed about 49 Stones—there was a huge smile on his face for the duration of the concert, and I don’t think it ever faded for a second. The guy obviously enjoys what he does, and it’s delightful. Of course, the drumming is good, too: complex, deliberate, and always driving the music forward.
The focus of the band, of course, is on the lead singer. The dynamic and engaging Emma wouldn’t be out of place in the girl-power pop-punk bands of the 1990s. She has an incredible range, encompassing not only the expected “girl’s range” but also a sexy, gravelly lower range that caught me off guard in the best possible way. She definitely has the chops to be something big.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole band took off into the mainstream. 49 Stones continually makes appearances in the Kansas City area in addition to occasional forays farther west. I would encourage everyone to seek them out and go to a concert if the opportunity arises. I’m officially on the 49 Stones bandwagon. When they inevitably hit the mainstream, I’ll be bragging that I was here first. - The University Leader

"...As you guessed, some more awards were presented then 49 Stones came onto the stage. When they started their set they came fighting. They raised their game for this show like many have never seen. People that were in the crowd were heard talking about them, and that they had never heard 49 Stones sound so good. This is a much better barometer than what we can ever offer in reviews, because when fans are saying it that see them often, something must be right. 49 Stones is best described as an alternative funk style music. They are not anywhere near the styles that were playing around them on the stage, but they still kept the entire crowd going, cheering, and working with them. Emma Jo of 49 Stones, and Tyler Lyon of Evalyn Awake had the duet of the evening when they sang together during the set. There is nothing bad I can say about 49 Stones and what they did, trust me, I am trying to think of something, but it just is not there. They rocked it..." - Project Backstage

When I was asked to complete an album review as my first task for Project Backstage, I was certain my project would be a band I would not enjoy. I was troubled to think I would start by providing a review with a negative tone. Fortunately, I was assigned 49 Stones. In a day and age when bands with a chick as the front-“man” have become more commonplace, these types of bands are still a minority in the broad spectrum of widely known musicians. Although there are both pros and cons to the 49 Stones album, my overall impression is one of respect for the talent of the musicians and their potential to become commonly known within their genre. 49 Stones maintains the skills that will allow them to rise up to rock star standards and set themselves apart from the norm. Two songs into their album Turn It On, I became energized by their evident talent and couldn’t help but to continue listening to the entire album from start to finish...many times, I should add. Turn It On contains a variety of styles and exceptional sounds that lured me in further and further as I went through each track.

I was captivated by their first track, Crowded. You would have trouble keeping me off the dance floor with this one. Crowded pulled me in with its winning bass progression. I often feel like bass is used as back-up sound; however 49 Stones has the bass out front with its dominant rhythm. Maybe it is my passion for the deep, soothing sounds of the bass, but I was looking forward to more of this. I was further engaged all through the album as I continued to hear major bass sequences throughout most every track.
My ear was mostly drawn to their second track, Devil All Along. The song starts with a fresh and funky guitar riff; followed by drums that generate a groovy timbre and a brilliant bass line, then becomes almost mesmerizing with the addition of sultry vocals. In this single track, the band has managed to encompass a distinctive sound not typically heard in mainstream music. I found it truly unique and enticing. This song alone sets 49 Stones apart from their peers.

Although 49 Stones shows tremendous talent, I felt some of their songs lack a certain dynamic that would allow me to fully feel the passion behind each track. I felt several tracks lacked harmonic vocals that would truly complete their sound. Often, when different cords are stacked together they can create a resonance that is not written into the music. This phenomenon occurs when different levels of harmony become fused togethe and a completely new sound becomes audible. I really wanted to hear this in Cruel and Unusual, as well as War Cry. I truly appreciated the artistry and message in each song, but I wanted to feel the entire effect of the music take over. These two songs are very well written and maintain a lot of energy, but seem incomplete and lacked a certain power that would make them exceptional.

The album maintains a high energy I can only imagine the intensity felt in the audience at one of their shows. In fact, I was listening to the album while I was preparing this review and mid keystroke I had to stop. What was I listening to!? Alive Tonight...WOW! About halfway through the song, an idiosyncratic tempo change took me into a zone. I found myself listening to one of the most alluring melodies sung by the picking of a guitar. All I could think was, “Whoa, I want to see this live,” and I intend to do just that. - Project Backstage

Turn It On, the debut album from 49 Stones (formerly The Poets Down Here), reveals a band more focused stylistically than previous material recorded under the old moniker.

Recorded over ten days with producer Bill Westfall at Sonic Sounds Recording Studio in Dallas, Texas, the combination of old and new songs benefit from tight production.

The impressive guitar-heavy chops of Brett Cox, punchy drumming by Kyle Scheel, and booming bass of Garrett Cox shape the band’s muscular Nineties rock sound. The high-octane guitar assault is brash and unapologetic. In terms of technique and style, Brett Cox skillfully works his way through guitar chords and phrasing that sounds fresh and incites frenzy.

Rising above the fray, lead vocalist/guitarist Emma effortlessly shifts from hypnotic near-whispers to face-melting outbursts without losing a note. She unleashes expressive power vocals with big league status. I haven’t heard a female rock vocalist with this much swagger and range since Pat Benatar or the Wilson sisters of Heart. Yep, believe it. Emma is sassy and vicious on “Are You Listening” as she belts out lyrics. Her distorted vocals in the opening of “Crowded” create interest and roar over wiry guitar. She’s clearly in control and confident in her delivery.

Most of the time, the sound of 49 Stones charges forward like runaway horses. The distinctive percussion by Scheel and complex bass lines by Garrett Cox push the rhythm section into overdrive. Brett Cox’s energetic guitar riffage on tracks like “Alive Tonight” and the frenetic “Cruel and Unusual” assert dominance with a primal directive.

“Devil All Long” is a wicked psychedelic guitar number hopped up on Red Bull. Emma’s sexy vocal here is melodic and aloof. The band can slow things down without missing a step. “Crazy Without You” is a mid-tempo rocker with immediate rock radio appeal. The final track “You are There” is a slow-burning number with enough chops to hold its own against the other eleven songs on this satisfying record.

Turn It On surprised me. This straightforward rock has some badass grooves, epic vocals, and attitude backed by talent. No gimmicks. 49 Stones reminded me why I loved “Barracuda” by Heart and “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar as a hormonal teen; why I favored songs in the 90s like “Vaseline” by Stone Temple Pilots and “Sister Havana” by Urge Overkill over anything on Top 40 pop radio. Distinctive guitar-driven rock can still, well, rock without sounding over-indulgent. Turn It On is a refreshing update to the rock genre. 49 Stones put together a solid debut album that marks a promising start. - Pete Dulin - Present Magazine