THE COLD STARES – Texas (2026) *HQ*

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THE COLD STARES are just fine with being one of the few modern blues-rock power trios in the world. Based out of Evansville, Indiana, Chris Tapp ( (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Brian Mullins (drums), and Bryce Klueh (bass) continue to explore what it means to be a “modern” heavy blues-rock trio sound on their new album ”Texas” — paying tribute to the state where so many of their influences like ZZ Top and the Vaughan brothers called home.
Obviously, an album like this should be recorded in TX – taped in Austin, the 11-song album blends heavy blues rock with Texas influences, continuing THE COLD STARES evolution from a duo into a trio.
Initially, singer / songwriter / guitarist Chris Tapp was so convinced in his songs that he self-released the first four THE COLD STARES albums before signing to Mascot when their popularity increased.
As for this set’s loose concept, it’s difficult to hear a huge variation in the rugged blues rocking the Stares have always conveyed with energized, yet melodic, grit. Texas blues legends such as Jimmie Vaughan, ZZ Top and Lightnin’ Hopkins are mentioned as inspirations, but there isn’t much in these eleven songs that references them. Tapp says Texas makes him play differently. “We wanted to capture that feeling—not just the sound, but the spirit of being there. We just Rock more.”

Fair enough. Whether it was the State’s expansive mileage, the hot weather or iconic studio location, the band cooks. The riff driven “Out of Love” and “Queen of Hearts” (not the Gregg Allman tune), and the soulful underpinnings of “Possessed,” show that these guys are fired up.

Tapp’s singing has developed into a matured, distinctive aspect of the group’s appeal. On a refined, righteous version of B.B. King’s “Chains and Things,” (the disc’s only cover) his delivery is more Seventies Classic Rock. He moans “You talk about hard luck and trouble… All the odds are against me / I can only play the losing game” as if he wrote those words. The restrained arrangement over a supple, slow boil undercurrent, locks in the searing lyrics.
It’s followed by the sparkling ballad “One Last Chance,” the only instance where Tapp fingerpicks acoustic. It also features guest organ, adding another subtle layer to the song’s theme of regret for a relationship that has gone south.

There is some Texas-styled galloping, train-time strut in “Further Down the Road,” referencing the early Fabulous Thunderbirds. This changeup from the Stares’ more strident tone works well; lyrical mentions of Houston and Dallas (the woman protagonist is driving away from her home state) also appear.
A moderate funk shimmer enriches “Sugarcane.” The swampy and tough chugging rocker tells of a guy who ends up on a chain gang. Organ and piano push the closing track into gospel-infused territory.

The pumping shuffle of “Burden to Bear” with its hooky chorus has tinges of Bad Company, especially in Tapp’s Paul Rodgers’ inflected vocals. His multi-tracked guitar unleashes a typically brief yet fiery solo making this a perfect single.
Things shift into a thicker, almost metal-ish direction for “Deeper You Dig,” the disc’s hardest moment.

Regardless of the reasons that helped THE COLD STARES and frontman Chris Tapp create this roaring, blues rocking collection, it connects. The songs are some of his finest and the band is tautly energized with lean and mean production, all making ‘Texas’ their most compelling recorded moment.
Highly Recommended

01 – Nowhere to Go
02 – Queen of Hearts
03 – Deeper You Dig
04 – Can’t Hold Out Much Longer
05 – Chains and Things
06 – One Last Last Chance
07 – Out of Love
08 – Burden to Bear
09 – Possession
10 – Further Down the Road
11 – Sugarcane

Chris Tapp (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
Brian Mullins (drums)
Bryce Klueh (bass)

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