Son Stone (Ben Diamond) keeps making his own way in the rock/alternative-folk world with "Hangin' on the Vine," track six from his 2025 album "Dime Store Mannequin." The song is one of the most interesting ideas on the record. It's a creative look at anger, desire, and quiet rebellion, all told through the voice of a grape that is waiting to be picked.
The grape's irritation is similar to how people feel when they are stuck in someone else's time, waiting for validation, attention, or change. The pictures of water swelling the skin, the pressure of "high notes," and the uneasy obsession that the questions about shape and escape suggest all create a mood that is both close and uncomfortable in the best artistic way.
The rainstorm in the middle of the song is a big change. It reminds us that even things that seem harmful or annoying can be part of someone else's plan. The song is powerful because it makes you feel torn between giving up and being frustrated, having a purpose and being free. Son Stone does a good job in this space, using the rock/alt-folk background to set the mood without getting in the way of the story.
"Hangin' on the Vine" uses the image of a bitter grape waiting for its fate to make a darkly funny but deep point about desire and dependence. The song simultaneously evokes a sense of silliness and profundity, demonstrating Son Stone's skill in bringing unconventional concepts to life. This song adds to the album's reputation for having deep themes in the bigger picture of "Dime Store Mannequin." It's a great piece that stays around, like something that was left on the vine too long.
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