Heartbreak and tragedy make for tears in beers. The twang of pain is classic heartland music where the calloused hands of men and women alike reach for cold drink on a warm night. All is going according to plan, right? Well, not exactly…Walter Rose isn’t from Tennessee or Arkansas. He’s a California educated Hawaiian born singer-songwriter with tales to tell. He’s a survivor. His rough hewn vocal chords speak to the deeper emotions we all share.

Cast Your Stone is the dark times confronted, battled, but in the end its a draw. Rose‘s debut full length record is the sound of a songwriter who has been through more than a lifetime’s worth of hurt. “Times are Hard” spells it out with point blank truth, but one can always look toward “Better Days.” Lyrically there is a balance between lyrical themes and solid rock musicianship on this album. “Head for the Hills” features an absolute heavy rave up, especially for a sensitive songwriter record. The guitars are killer on this cut and with the session pros playing behind Rose, every note is perfect. The dirt of “Americana” spins in these grooves.

The record was produced by Eric Liljestrand, known for producing Lucinda Williams, and her sound is replicated here by some of the same musicians who backed Williams. This would be the main problem with this record. The music is too familiar to listeners with even a minimal knowledge of Williams‘ music. Pushing what becomes a tribute to that slick songwriter sound, she even duets on “Driving South.” The song is well-written and performed with care, but the results are a little too workman like. The overall impression this album leaves with a listener is one of genre paint by numbers. Perfect for long road trips maybe if background songs are all that is required. Walter Rose is a talent however and has a long career ahead of himself.