Nine Stones Close, an Anglo –Dutch band burst  onto the scene in 2010 with their debut album, Traces, a collection of songs which drew much admiration as well as rave reviews because of the depth of emotion within the songs that were full of dark, moody soundscapes.

Along now comes the difficult second album which more than demonstrates that they have continued to develop and grow, the songs absolutely drenched in misty atmosphere and a sense of longing or foreboding. But unfortunately, this is the last time they will be heard with their vocalist Marc Atkinson who also performs with Riversea and Mandalaband.

One Eye On The Sunrise has a mesmeric beauty entirely of its own with Atkinson being able to convey melancholy and hurt like very few others – only Chris Isaak comes to mind.  It is dramatic and haunting – and having been released late last year, found its way into quite a few top tens of 2012, and justifiably so.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

This starts with a wash of sound and Brendan Eyre’s gentle piano with female “radio” voice come in before a dreamy synth and Jones’ chunk y guitar create a rich melodic driven sound which then gives way to a tinkling piano.