Album Review // 2023-10-06

Baroness

Stone

Released: 2023-09-15

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Nine years after Baroness came together as a band, they suffered a vehicle accident while on tour. I can only imagine the impact that would have, mentally, not to mention the physical healing. But founding member John held on and is still keeping this band going. He says he wants to keep the music exciting, with a feeling of adventure, as a musician. This is great news for Baroness.

The name Baroness leaves me with no comment, nor do I know what the band intended with their name. I remember it, so there is that.

The album title, Stone, is a change from the band's normal titles that are colours. But of course, when I think of a stone, I think of the colour grey (though there can be variance). What comes to mind when I think of a stone is something that is strong, stable, and unaffected by many things around it, but it isn't indestructible.

This is their sixth album and I am absolutely new to them. I only heard one song that was requested previously, and then jumped right into this album. Here are my thoughts.

Artwork

Colourful and delicate-looking. It is clear that the bodies of the women are the feature here. But it is weird that we don't see any faces. The faces are tied up and even chained. Almost like these women are not allowed to reveal themselves. Each one seems to feature a different colour and some different animals surrounding it. Not something I would put on my wall, but I like the thought put into this. My understanding is the vocalist also does the album artwork. That is pretty cool.

Mood

This album made me feel very nostalgic. I don't know if it was because I was more into this style of music as a child, or the stuck vibe to it. That is how many people feel as children - stuck. You don't have control, motivation, or understanding, yet you somehow feel opposed to what is happening. You are resistant but go along with things because you have to.

Vocals

The vocals seem to stay on the same wavelength for the most part, and it is a style that feels raw, even though it is surrounded by polished music. It is a style that I think is hard to pull off effectively. The enunciation of words and the impact they have is profound. The high yelling/singing voice makes me think of country music. The occasional use of a more natural-sounding singing voice, such as is heard in The Dirge, reminds me of the innocent way preschool songs are sung. The drawn-out yelling became grating after hearing this album many times through.

Music

The music is staying on track. It doesn't veer out of style. It has a jarring quality to it, even though it is clear and precise. The drums are pretty hard-hitting. I barely noticed the keyboard, except for a few songs such as Magnolia. The lead guitar lines are the standout for me, as well as the use of guitar effects which are added at the right time to go with the tone of the main guitar. It makes me think that if there were different vocals, I would like this better.

Embers

It feels like a loss of motivation. Just let this person be. They want to be on their own.

I lost my senses
I lost my way
I can't remember why
Build me a home
Of ember and chain
Leave me a simple life

Last Word

What kind of word? A last word could be so positive or negative, so helpful or hurtful.

I remember every last word
I remember it all
I remember every last word
I remember...

Oh, my sweet oblivion
We are drowning in paradise
I guess we'll need a deeper gutter
A higher levee

Beneath the Rose

I think this title must be referring to a negative secret. There is a rose in front of it, so you don't know it is there until you get injured by it.

Blood beneath the rose
And now I’m caught between the thorns
And I can’t stop bleeding

I’ve made a habit spilling secrets that I shouldn’t
But I’ve got holes between my teeth
I wouldn’t say I do this for a living
I do my best to earn my keep
This will not be the cross that we bear...

Choir

Again, I think something or someone is presenting a certain expected, nice way, but things aren't as they seem.

Something shines behind their eyes
Something deep inside
And when they've stripped me to the bone
There's nothing left to hide

I wander through your garden
On bones of broken glass
To chew your shining halo
With teeth of molten wax

The Dirge

The lyrics embody the song title. This person seems to be dying.

And then we'll be together
You and I as one
I'll feel your light forever
And burn beneath your sun

Now my ship is sailing
Now the race is run
I know my breath is failing
Now my time is up

Anodyne

I think this seems to be holding a relationship like it is a drug. Maybe it would be a good analogy because the described relationship involves being held underwater. If that is a part of it, it can't be good. It is probably tumultuous and unhealthy, but this person is still drawn to it.

In dreams we fall together
In my dreams we're gonna fall forever

Where the surface meets the sky
There's my anodyne

Take me to the ocean
Lead me through the waves|
Hold me underwater

Shine

It sounds like a combination of determination and struggle. A recognition of it not being easy.

We’re barriers against the tide
We’re wonders that refuse to shine
We’re blinded by eternal dark
We’re anchored to the evening star
We’re deafened by the tolling bell
We’re dragging through the endless swell
We’re phantoms to the borderfire
Like stallions to the wretched mile

Magnolia

I question if maybe there is all the weight of a stone putting layers on you, and weighing you down. There is a desire to stop the process and run away from the stone flesh.

Heavy weight
One more stone leaving flaming arrows
Heavy weight
One more soul leaving flaming arrows
Heavy weight
One more stone leaving flaming arrows

Buried, soiled and silver
Built stone flesh
I will release myself and run
I will release myself and run
Over and over
We're so low
Secretly never shadow

Under The Wheel

I think this is talking about something that keeps repeating, but the best are taken, and the worst are left. It makes me think of the saying, "only the good die young". Although, I am personally not sure what a good person is. I think we all have the potential to do wrong.

Under the wheel that's turning and turning
It takes the best of us and burns the rest

Burning
On fire
Burning
I'm on fire
Under the wheel
Burning
I'm on fire
When we're gone what will remain?

Bloom

An interesting name for the song, because it feels very stuck. I don't really think of being stuck and blooming fitting together, but maybe being stuck forces you into things you wouldn't normally experience.

I'd never stay here if I could leave
I wouldn't waste my time
I'm sick of the sun
How heavy she lays nails to a crimson sky

Home
Where we go to carry blood and stone
Home
Where we go
Will you bury me back home?

Playlist Pick

I feel like this music, though not harmful or offensive to me, isn't what I like at this time in my life. I was over it after hearing it so many times, and I have no need to look back on it. Therefore, no songs will make it to my playlist.