When one has raved over an album by a band, there is always a small concern when the next one arrives that it may not be in the same league so it was a little hesitantly that I started playing this one when it arrived. Happily I can report that I had absolutely nothing to worry about! The follow-up from ‘Traces’ is in a similar vein, but perhaps with just a little more polish and finesse. Adrian Jones Adrian (Numb, Lie Big) Brendan Eyre (Riversea) and Marc Atkinson (Mandalaband, Riversea) have been joined now by Peter Vink (Q65/Ayreon/Star One/Finch) and Pieter van Hoorn (Knight Area) and the result is yet another extremely layered and complex album with elements of Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Marillion and Flower Kings.
If you want to hear just how majestic symphonic prog can be then look no further than “Janus” where every member has a chance to shine, and even simple repeated piano arpeggios can have a major impact on the overall sound. The acoustic guitar on this brings a whole new facet to proceedings and the only complaint is that at six minutes long it is just way too short! I could happily play it all day. This is a very easy album to listen to, as opposed to easy listening, with music and melodies combining together to take the listener on a musical journey. There is no stress or strain, just a whole new world. I am actually writing this review in a McDonald’s whilst listening to this on headphones, and what I can see away from my screen is a world far removed from the one in my ears and therefore in my mind. The world of Nine Stones Close is a place of harmony and serenity, one where it all makes sense, and this album takes you there.
