April 23, 2025. Even on my first rodeo with Stephen Stanley Band on this record, I felt the earthiness mixed with special poetry and driven riffs that really drive Stephen’s storytelling talent. At first, the themes seem to come from a personal point of view and experiences viewed from afar. Look deeper, though, and the stories vary and stand out with their unique perspective and presentation. They seem to leave the hive and enter in my Henhouse.

The opening track “Chase the Devil” comes screaming out of the gates and sets up a high bar hoping the next 10 songs can hold up to this demon driven song.

In today’s crazy world, I think we need our artists putting out more Canadian content material. Well, Stephen does this with the next song, “The Winnipeg Gun”.

“You’re no exception”, is a folk–country tune with a hard lesson in life. The sound is very reminiscent of our other Toronto favourite bands, The Skydiggers.

Digging Deeper

As you dig deeper into this album, you begin to realize that this band is very talented at layering their songs in the same way a great tailor creates a fine suit. Some of the times it is the little details that really stand out and add the fullness of their vision.

“Here Comes That Rain” is a super catchy pop song that will have you pressing repeat for quite a while. Lyrically however, “The Owl” has to win for the best line on this album. I truly believe in this line. “Everything worth knowing is hidden in your record collection”. You are preaching to the Henhouse.

“The Ballad of Lou Room”, sounds like a song that was carefully lifted from one of Blue Rodeo’s songs that hasn’t been recorded left. It is a great blend of pop and country with that keyboard vibe from that early Blue Rodeo period.

“No Love Lost” is a smooth and solid rocker, while “Hey Darlene” rocks that Country twang that spews Steve Earle energy. This one will set the dance floor on fire.

“Holding back on Someday” may finish off with a lesson in real disappointment, but you will feel refreshed knowing you have just experienced a well-rounded recording that handed you a bunch of well-written stories. I am sure you will easily find your favourites and will be able to carry them for a very long time. It is like going into the henhouse and randomly grabbing for a dozen eggs knowing each one is a unique work of art. So let’s carry this basket out like we are going to paint them for an Easter celebration.  

You can find this really colourful album here: Before The Collapse Of The Hive – Album by The Stephen Stanley Band | Spotify