12 Stones follows up 2007's Anthem for the Underdog with a 5-song EP entitled The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday. However, there is some controversy surrounding the release. Word on the street is that 12 Stones wanted to release a full-length album, while Wind Up only wanted the EP. After one listen, you may side with 12 Stones on the issue.
The album starts with a classic 12 Stones song, flashing back to their self-titled debut. "Welcome to the End" is about the end of a relationship and brings a serious edge to let you know the New Orleans based band is back. There is also a return to some of the screams long time fans will be more familiar with and welcome.
From there, the EP goes to the arena rock anthem, and first single, "We Are One." It is inspired by a trip the band took to visit US Troops and is dedicated to them. It won't be long at all before you hear Paul McCoy's voice blaring over the PA at your favorite sporting event, "We are one, we are one, we are one; we will stand together. Number one, number one, number one; the chosen ones." The title of the EP is also taken from this song.
The third track, "Disappear," starts with a kick-in-the-face guitar riff. The song tones down for the verse and never quite reaches the intensity of the previous two songs. This song is also about the "bitter" ending of a relationship. "Tomorrow Comes Today" slows the EP down even further. Although it's slower, it really features how good of a voice McCoy has compared to others in the genre.
The EP gets wound up again for the final song, "Enemy;" the boys definitely saved the best for last. The song features some great guitar work from Eric Weaver on the main riff, a tight sounding rock "n" roll breakdown in the middle, and even more of those wonderful screams incorporated in. The song leaves you wanting another seven tracks or so to take in.
You will hear a blend of the three previous 12 Stones records in this 5-song outing. The band bears the oh-so-common "Christians in a band" moniker, but their beliefs usually bleed through to the lyrics. This EP does not offer much in the way of spiritual lyrics, but as McCoy once posted on the band's MySpace page, it is "heavy, passionate music with a positive message." I hope that this EP will push Wind Up to get the band back into the recording studio. A full-length LP with songs of this caliber is long overdue.
- Review date: 7/27/10, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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A Superb EP| Posted October 19, 2010
12 Stones, Christian rock group hailing from New Orleans, has released three full-length records and, now, one EP. After their self-titled debut, Potter's Field, and Anthem for the Underdog, they have progressed musically and lyrically in a sense that does indeed make me wish that this was an entire 12-track record. The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday, three years long overdue, is a dynamic collection of 5 interesting and catchy songs.
Welcome to the End: Musically, this song is a very well-done guitar-ridden opener, one that pulls the listener into the album. Lyrically, it is not at all different from a few of 12 Stones' other songs, namely Disappear from the same album, which seems to continue the same story. 9.5/10
We Are One: This song is by far my favorite from the EP, one whose play count is already quite high. The lyrics are well-written, fitting the outstanding musical content to a tee. The music itself is an extremely catchy rock beat which simply has the feel of a concert. 10/10
Disappear: The supposed follow-up to album opener Welcome to the End, this song is loud with guitars at the onset, and then mostly quiet until the end. Its lyrics mirror that of said album opener. 8.5/10
Tomorrow Comes Today: I'm still wondering why this track was included on a 12 Stones album, because it is quite slow-paced. The lyrics are sort of strange So shine for me anyone / Cast a shadow on the sun / A light to find my way / I hope tomorrow comes today and the music sounds like a mainstream Christian release. But it's not a bad song, for the chorus is still rumbling its way through my head. 8/10
Enemy: I have to say, I just didn't like this one. The lyrics are plainly peculiar, and lead singer McCoy repeats the annoying screaming that took place at a minute level in Welcome to the End. This song returns to the more rocky level of the first three tracks. 7/10
All in all, The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday stands as a superb album, in my opinion the second best work of 12 Stones' career. If Wind-Up Records let them release a full-length album like this soon, they would have my money.
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