Meet Allen Stone Posted by Lucas G. on 02/05/14 | Filed under Non Hip-Hop, Meet, Allen Stone

I have been at this blogging thing for almost a year now and have learned a whole lot. Way back in June, I thought I learned not to judge a book by it's cover thanks to Har Mar Superstar, but apparently I needed a refresher. As I was searching for this weeks Meet (to no avail) Nathan suggested I check out Allen Stone who was recently signed to ATO Records (they also have Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket, and Old Crow Medicine show just to name a few of the many).

When I entered his name in the google machine,  up popped a picture of an eccentric looking white dude who is as pale as me, rocking some interesting glasses. "OK" I thought, "kinda weird but whatever". I don't know what I was expecting, I think something more poppy and beachy (like summer music) but I certainly didn't expect this.

I pressed play, turned up my speakers and walked away and after 4 minutes, when he really brings it home, I got really confused; did my computer start playing a random D'Angelo song? I would never have guessed that this unassuming hippie-looking guy would have the voice with that much soul. Needless to say I had to check out more, as this was recorded in his mom's living room.

I found a few recorded songs here and there (he has two projects out both from a few years ago) but a large portion of the videos I found were live renditions of songs. Normally I try to shy away from those when first listening to somebody because I want to hear the album, but it feels so woven into who he is that it is almost better than his recorded stuff; it' part of his charm. Like RefinedHype Nation favorite, Kendra Morris, Stone too is partial to covers. Which normally I don't go for, but again he defies the odds and really knows how to make a song his. So despite "meeting" him the exact opposite way I like to meet artists, he still won me over. Considering his voice, it's not a surprise.

Now, "Is This Love", "Killing Me Softly", and "Change Gonna Come" are bold bold choices, and if you fuck 'em up people will hate you forever, but I have to say he does a great job of making them his own. "Is This Love" is a classic and Stone make it sound like an original. Hell, he even takes "Sex & Candy" and gives it a little life. Also, the fact that his talent shows through on a god awful live recording ("Killing Me Softly") is amazing.  He has one of those voices that is just made for a live show and I'm really glad he does all these live, stripped down recordings. I wish more artists would do this; it's so great to listen to. As for recorded stuff, he can do that too.

Well, I'm sold. Diverse, fun, smooth, and infectious; what's not to love? He could literally go any route he wanted--rock, R&B, soul, folk, pop--and he could thrive, but I really hope he doesn't pick just one. I also really hope he keeps up the live recordings as it only adds to his uniqueness and likeability. I think I have learned my lesson about not judging an artist by what they look like.

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