TRACES

Nine Stones Close started out as a solo project resulting in the 2008 release, "St. Lo" in with Adrian Jones playing all the instruments, providing the vocals, and composing all the songs. The post St. Lo events that ultimately resulted in the CD "Traces" were a story of coincidence and possibly Synchronicity, the details of which are documented on the band's website. It's a pretty amazing story. But the result was Adrian surrounding himself with some very talented musicians who helped him evolve Nine Stones Close to a whole new level and different sound.

Marc Atkinson (Riversea, Mandalaband) clear vocals are a perfect fit as is the keyboard of Brendan Eyre (Riversea) and relative new-comer Neil Quarrell, a very talented bass player. Nine Stones Close fans are so grateful that Neil stopped by Adrian's to repair one of his guitars and decided to jam with him for a little while. When he and Adrian take center stage two thirds of the way through the cut "Threads" my neighbors can hear the band playing ? "11" on the volume control. Musically, the mix is perfect. The vocals don't get in the way of the instrumentation nor does the instrumentation seem to be trying to drown out the lyrics.

I'm not one to analyze music based on time signatures and key changes. I was taught long ago that good music will get your attention, hold your attention, then proceed to paint pictures in your mind. Traces certainly does that. Any images that are conjured by the melancholy tone of this album may not be fields of flowers and puppies, but ultimately they are positive. If I hadn't discovered Traces too late, it would have had my vote for Album of the Year.