Album Review: Geoff Gibbons – Shadow of a Stone
Geoff Gibbons is a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter; this four-song EP is merely the latest in a long string of releases. There’s a contemplative and majestic feel to these songs, with arrangements that put the vocals (and, by extension, the lyrics) right out front. The instrumentation is solid and subtle, but it’s all designed specifically to provide a backdrop for those lyrics. The title track of the EP is a rumination on violence and humanity’s, well, inhumanity. But notably, the melancholy song aims to be positive and uplifting. “Please Remember Me” is a Dylanesque number with accordion, whistling and clippety-clop percussion all in support of Gibbons’ voice and guitar.
“Soldier Soldier” explores the idea of those in the military ultimately being betrayed by those who sent them to battle; Gibbons’ lyric makes a point of being nonspecific; the effect of that approach is that the song’s message and point are timeless, not tied to any specific situation. “The Other Side” is a dreamy piece that recalls Dan Fogelberg; the airy arrangement creates a meditative feel. The song’s backing vocals are ethereal.
At under 18 minutes, Shadow of a Stone is brief, but anyone who enjoys this EP can go on to explore at least three previous full-length releases.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.