Geoff Gibbons – “Shadow of a Stone” (track review)

Whereas saccharine hooks and indelible riffs lay at the forefront of much of the modern “folk” scene, Geoff Gibbons’ newest effort lives and breathes contemporary folk songwriting for all that it is worth. Throughout the EP, the Vancouver singer-songwriter weaves a cohesive, contemplative story reflecting on the idea of soldiers who have paid the greatest price. It was developed and released in light of remembrance day, with its titular opener, in particular, focusing on those who have lost their lives from an autobiographical perspective.

Although Gibbons himself has had the luck of having to never face the horrors of killing others’ brothers and sisters on behalf of the country, he has a studied and heartfelt view of the sacrifice. As much is evident with the careful songwriting present throughout “Shadow of a Stone”, replete with minimalistic instrumentation that sets a focus on his earnest vocals as they softly croon such evocative lyrics. He’s laying a rose down against the “Shadow of a Stone”, in a graveyard, for those we’ve lost to war. He doesn’t linger on faulty patriotism to carry the song through, perhaps as many tracks of such an intent mind. It seems to be more a song written merely from the perspective of a man paying his individual respects, and it’s memorable for it.

Words by: Jonathan Frahm (@jfrahm_)