The Lonesome Bones - Lonesome Bones

The Lonesome Bones

Lonesome Bones
​self-released; 2021

3.7 out of 5

By My Nguyen

The Lonesome Bones is a rock band with members based in Stuart and Martinsville, VA. On their debut self-titled release The Lonesome Bones, each member brings in their diverse background and distinctive musical tastes to give you this demo, which is an amalgam of their collective vision. Containing ‘90s guitar riffs, melodic grooves with understated vocals, this collection of songs balances a good amount of mood and feeling to give you something that will resonate deeply with audiences for the long term. Naming one of their influences as The Cure, you can see how Rob Smith’s goth and atmospheric delivery has informed The Lonesome Bones’ sound. The band doesn’t just take from bands that have inspired their sound. Proving that originality and authenticity are some of the key things that make a band, The Lonesome Bones tackle the indie, alternative and psychedelic rock genres with dynamic precision, showing us they have what it takes. Written by Joshua Jones, The Lonesome Bones is a semi-autobiographical piece of work, heavily leaning onto the cinematic and nostalgic. This set of songs will have you in equal parts relishing in its goth-y nature as well as swaying to its persuasive beat. 
 
The Lonesome Bones gets going with “Once Knew A Girl” that starts off with a sparse guitar riff. The melody then builds for a fuller effect. Next, Jones’ melancholy vocals gain a somber footing in this track. The instrumentals continue in the backdrop, keeping the energy alive. Jones’ vocals are mumbled and are barely audible. It is hard to make out what he is saying, but this hushed sense of the vocals also sets the tone, giving off an understated indie rock feel. The simmering feeling on this song ebbs and flows from start to finish. Starting off with a sauntering groove, the instrumentals really come together here for a smoldering feel on “When Saturn Blinks.” This is another atmospheric piece though the moodiness does make way for some melodious riffs. More of Jones’ subdued vocals come in here. This more or less feels like a continuation of the previous track. Strumming from the acoustic guitar jumpstarts “Day Drinker.” Interwoven into this song are both acoustic and electric guitar, making for an even more involved sound. Jones’ vocals come across both haunting and vulnerable here. He really seems to be wearing his heart on his sleeve on this dynamic track. 
 
The previous song right away segues into “She’s Got Friends.” The melody is prominent and you can get lost easily in its fluid flow. I liked how Jones’ breezy vocals sounded here. He does a lot less mumbling and I enjoyed how easy-going and breathy he sounded instead. This had elements of ‘80s and ‘90s rock. The guitar work was also spectacular here. The muted sound underscored a vibe that recalled The Stokes and The White Stripes. On “Lydia,” more of the slow burning tones saturate through this particular recording. The melody unwinds for a bit as Jones’ vocals slowly enter. The band keeps their pace even, creating an ambiance that surrounds the audience. The music slowly builds over time. Leaning more towards an acoustic sound, the intro is solely made up of the acoustic guitar on “Baltimore.” Next, drums and more instrumentals follow, creating a fuller effect. The band’s slow grooving sound comes into form, making their finale another balance of melancholy and melody. 
 
The demo was recorded during a live session for a social media feed. It was also mostly mixed and mastered right there on the spot, freeing the release from any overdubs or second takes. A live recording, these unadulterated takes showcase the band’s energy in giving you something that you can bob your head to while contemplating the somber lyrics. A moody album with elements of goth, ‘80s rock and alternative, The Lonesome Bones plays music that won’t just get stuck in your head, it will also get you thinking. Reviving The Cure’s edgy energy, the band is giving us something we can talk about. My only critique is that all these tracks sound very similar to each other and it began to bleed into one another after a while. A little more variety would add a certain kick to things. Perhaps by including a pop song here and there will get listeners moving as well as showing another side to the band. Overall, this is a good start from the group, and I look forward to seeing where they go from here.

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