The problem with references is that one runs the risk of giving the impression that the music is lacking in originality. Let me assure you that this is not at all the case with this album. Yes, the Pink Floyd influence is absolutely there, both in the splendid guitar work and the vocals. And do I hear some David Sylvian every now and then (Gone To Earth, second disc, but I could be mistaken)? There is even a Peter Gabriel moment somewhere along the line (well, at least to my ears there is). But most of all this is a great album that very much stands on its own with some pretty amazing guitar work. The story behind the album (read the Album Notes) is perfectly reflected in the music, resulting in a dark album that moves between atmospheric and heavy moments (just the way I like it). A word of advice: pay the extra money for the cd version. Discussions about sound quality aside, this is a concept album where the songs flow seamlessly in each other and which should be listened to in one go. The mp3 version just won't do the album justice. Now go and buy it!

Nine Stones Close is the solo project of Adrian “Ade” Jones, (guitars & vocals) from a band called Lie Big. I haven’t heard the band Lie Big so I can’t make any comparisons. Musically it’s a blend of a few styles, with bands like Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here), Porcupine Tree (Sky Moves Sideways) and some modern indie sounds spread out among the debut album, St. Lo. According to the Nine Stones Close page at CDBaby, “St-Lo is based around a near death experience in Ade’s LIFE and the feelings and dreams induced during that traumatic event. It also says that the album is somewhat an exorcism of some personal ghosts and an outpouring of emotional debris into the music and lyrics.” Without getting too philosophical, I’d say music always keeps a person sane, so it’s a perfect way for a musician to “cleanse” their spirit of unwanted things. Also some musicians tend to have more tortured souls, so music is their outlet. While by some people’s view this is a rather short album (38+ minutes) but I sense Ade wanted quality rather than quantity to convey his vision. This is by far one of the more exciting and emotional albums I’ve heard. The album was released in 2008 and went under many‘s radar including mine. Now that it’s in full view of my attention, I must recommend THIS ALBUM TO fans of the more spacey side of progressive rock as well as fans of the aforementioned bands. Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on October 24th, 2009

In a nutshell: this is one stonker of a CD. Some fantastic guitar playing combined with some truly gorgeous atmospherics and solid song-writing make it a real treat to the ears. This album is the classic 'grower': listen to it once and a few bits and pieces (mostly solos) will stand out as being really noteworthy. Play it a few more times and you'll find yourself humming along to whole songs; play it again and you'll find it's stuck on repeat in your CD player for the next few weeks. This is what's happened to me when listening to this wonderful album by Nine Stones Close. Ade Jones is a fantastic guitar player, somehow finding a wonderful balance between metal riffs galore and atmospherics a la Gilmour, Rothery or Reznor. I can't recommend this CD enough to anyone who likes intelligent guitar-based rock. Buy it now. :)

Two sides to this - terrific - album grab me. One is Ade Jones' obvious dedication to prog and hard rock voices from the past: to me it sounds like Floyd haunted by the ghost of Kurt. Musicality aside, the real urgency of this record comes from the feeling that something terrible inspired the music and words. The titles are a signpost - hospitalbubble, remaining days, silently screaming - the mixture of angst-and-release far more instructive. Fave track is Red & White: Nirvana in the recovery room; liquid morphine. More than the excellent music, there's trauma in these grooves. And I like it.