MATT BONNER
Signs Of Passing (Stone Circle)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The production quality on singer/songwriter/keyboardist Matt Bonner's Signs Of Passing is an order of magnitude higher than most indie releases, which means that casual listeners might be tempted to write off his mid-tempo, ethereal efforts as mere ear-candy. Not that there's anything wrong with accepting this as a collection of enjoyable polished sounds, except that to do so misses the point rather widely.

Bonner is as committed to writing and publishing prose as he is to writing and recording music, which gives him a facility with language that provides depth to his music even when the surface is calm. Cryptic imagery, clever word play and effective narrative are found throughout the disc, making it a fine candidate for repeated headphone sessions. That same effort to attend to the language will reap rewards as new levels and layers of musical depth are revealed as well. Bonner's production efforts were augmented by Joe Capps' recording and mixing skills. Capps also contributes what seems to be exactly the right guitar passage in exactly the right place over and over again.

This is the kind of album that makes people passing by say "Gee, that sounds nice," but there's far more hear than initially meets the ear.

Track List:

Mirror * Tripwire * Desert Heart * Reveal * Driven * Tanner * Saving Grace * The Day In Question * Turning Of The Stone * Gate * Sister * Arc Of Return

© 2003 - Shaun Dale