Stoll Vaughan

I've also written a CD review for an artist named Stoll Vaughan. It is located on his myspace page.

"Love Like A Mule"
By Amanda O'Mahony

As he tells it, Stoll Vaughan comes from Nashville, Tennessee via Lexington, Kentucky.
Exploring both sides of the southern gentleman coin, charming and nearly irresistible to females, but a bit of trouble altogether, Vaughan is just what the folk rock genre is looking for. If rock music with country folk overtones is what you're looking for, Stoll Vaughan is your man.
Although Vaughan draws on all the right musical standards, he puts his own flavor on the experience. Live, Vaughan jerks his guitar ala Johnny Cash and wiggles his leg and body in such a way that Elvis would be proud. Vaughan exemplifies music for those not interested in copies made from the local billboard mill. Vaughan could be compared to a modern day Mike Nesmith, but thankfully has no television show to overshadow his ability. His music has soul and passion while showing just how well a southern boy can inspire a little boogie in an audience. His troubadour sensibility seems not unlike Bob Dylan himself, but is obviously entirely genuine, personal and heartfelt.
The album begins with "Alright", a rush of drums that come at the listener like a train, as the song goes forth to tell a story leading to a full danceable chorus. Through the lyrics of the album it is easy to see Vaughan has had his share of heartache and hearts to break. He shares these experiences with his audience as willingly as he breaks into story in his live performances. In the same breath Vaughan seems able to tell someone how much he adores them, but cuts them to the quick by giving a biting onslaught of how they've done him wrong. In "Man That Cares", Vaughan pledges how truly he'll love and be devoted while in "Savior" he tells that same person that they're their own savior now.
In the ballad "Fade Away", he guides the audience on a journey through cities and states to lead him to whom he loves, which will resonate with anyone who's ever traveled the United States. While the disc doesn't come with a lyrics sheet, Vaughan pronounces quite clearly for the listener's pleasure. In "Complain", a rocking upbeat song, Vaughan sneers at many of life's problems as he remarks that "baby's gotta learn to complain", which leaves the listener wondering if this is more a sarcastic remark or advice.
With bands like Kings of Leon in the upper crust of indie rock, Stoll Vaughan deserves not only a listen, but also a standing ovation for his beautifully crafted brand of southern folk rock.
Vaughan's disc is an easy listen, which is not at all to say his music is any less accredited for it. He layers the up-tempo songs with the ballads to create a cohesive listening experience. Vaughan's talent shines through his lyrics and melodies, and if he is not the next big thing out of Nashville, then he should be.