Over the last two decades, America has been involved in constant war. Shadow of a Stone - Songs of Remembrance by Geoff Gibbons is a beautiful record that honors the selfless sacrifices made by the brave men and women in uniform, who serve to protect the American way of life. Stylistically similar to folk, southern soul, and alternative country music, the acoustic-driven EP is moving, respectful, and intimate. With his lyrics, Gibbons is able to reach into our souls and stroke the stings of empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
Take his title track for example:
“In the shadow of a stone, the reaching emptiness,
I give this aching rose, to the earth where you rest.
With the sun sinking low, this rising in my chest,
The truth I’m taking home, from the shadow of the stone.
I never was a soldier, I never held a gun,
The games when we were children, is the closest I have come.
Never laid down my life, for something I believed
But here I believe, in the world you left to me.
In the shadow of a stone, the reaching emptiness,
I give this aching rose, to the earth where you rest.
May the roots reach down, and hold you in your sleep
And carry you home, through the shadow of a stone.
In the shadow of a stone, the reaching emptiness,
I give this aching rose, to the earth where you rest.
With the sun sinking low, and the whispering silhouettes
Tell a truth I’m taking home, from the shadow of a stone,
Tell a truth I’m taking home, from the shadow of a stone.”
The other three tracks have a similar feel. "With whistling and accordion ‘Please Remember Me’ is a Celtic style folk song about a young man going off to fight in WW2 and leaving his girl behind.” Clearly Gibbons explores the universal theme of loss. His craft lies in being able to relate the theme to a particular events and a specific population being affected by it.
In “Soldier, Soldier” Gibbons asks: “Where is your country now?...The one you served so proud.” Although this particular track is about the experience of being at war and reflecting on it, loss is hinted at throughout its delivery. “The Other Side” is about moving past the war, and figuring out how to proceed with life after witnessing something so transformative and destructive. All in all, Shadow of a Stone - Songs of Remembrance is a wonderful and humbling EP.
Note* Album provided for objective review by our partners.