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Traces is the second album by the British neo-prog band Nine Stones Close, that is to say, if you consider their first CD St Lo (2008) as a band effort. That album came out on an independent label and was actually a solo project of band leader and guitarist Adrian Jones. On this second album, he gathered a real band around him. Together they produced a perfect and high standard prog rock album. The music is mostly cool, relaxed and atmospheric with many guitar solos in the best Pink Floyd tradition.

Band principal Adrian Jones (Guitars) is supported by top class musicians from The Netherlands: Peter Vink on bass (Q65/Ayreon/Star One), Pieter van Hoorn on drums (Knight Area), and Britain: Marc Atkinson on vocals and Brendan Eyre on keys (Riversea). The package is completed by Antonio Seijas' beautifully haunting artwork. The result is a sonic treat with truly soaring moments on tracks such as Frozen Moment, A Secret, The Weight, and the epic title track. One Eye on the Sunrise is mandatory listening for prog fans and will surely be talked about as one of the best releases of 2012.

"Leaves" is an intense emotional journey and those looking for an album of background music or one that will click into place on first listen should look elsewhere. This album grows and claws at you with each play. The direction the band has taken shows not only courage but the unwillingness to stand still. The new line-up should rightfully be proud of such a work and they deserve this album to take them to the next level…