Weirdstone’s Weirdstone – A 1995 Alt-Rock Gem That Still Hits
Alright, let me tell ya about this little Canadian treasure from the '90s. Weirdstone, the self-titled debut album by the band Weirdstone, came out in 1995 under Hammerhead Records. It’s an alternative rock ride that feels like a mixtape your cool older cousin would’ve burned for you back in the day. The whole thing is raw, unpolished, and dripping with that angsty charm only the '90s could pull off.
Now, I gotta say, there are some real standouts here. Take “Stand To Fall” for example—man, it just grabs you by the collar right from the start. The guitar riff is crunchy yet melodic, and the vocals have this raspy sincerity to them that makes you feel like they’re singing directly to you. There’s something about how the energy builds up without ever losing its edge—it’s not trying too hard to impress, but dang, it does anyway. This track sticks with me because it’s got guts. It doesn’t overthink things; it just lets the music do the talking.
Then there’s “Burning Bridges,” which hits different. Maybe it’s the lyrics or maybe it’s the way the drums punch through like someone kicking down a door, but this one gets stuck in my head every time. It’s one of those songs where you can almost picture the band crammed into a tiny rehearsal space somewhere in Canada, pouring their hearts out while snow piles up outside. You know what I mean? Like, it’s got soul. And honestly, isn’t that what rock music’s supposed to be about?
The rest of the album has its moments too. Tracks like “Loader” and “Montana Rain” bring that same gritty vibe, though they don’t quite hit as hard as the first two I mentioned. But hey, even the slower cuts like “Whispering Wind” and “Gypsy” give the record some breathing room. They remind me of long drives on empty highways, windows down, wind messing up your hair. Not bad company if you ask me.
What really makes Weirdstone work is how unapologetically itself it is. These guys weren’t chasing trends or trying to sound like anyone else—they were just making music that felt true to them. Sure, production-wise, it’s not perfect (hello, mid-'90s budget), but sometimes imperfections make things more relatable. Kinda like how a slightly crooked smile is way cooler than anything Hollywood can fake.
So yeah, if you’re into alt-rock with a rough-around-the-edges vibe, give this album a spin. It might not change your life, but it’ll definitely take you back to a time when rock still had bite. Oh, and fun fact—I found out Weirdstone shares their name with a fantasy novel series by Alan Garner. Pretty sure that’s no coincidence. Makes me wonder if these dudes were secretly nerds at heart. Either way, props to ‘em for crafting something weirdly unforgettable.
Rock on, eh?
