Limbs Seeds on Stone Rating: 5.5 Label: Self released

The first 37 seconds of the title track on Limbs third album, Seeds on a Stone, evokes a feeling of good things to come. The choppy and abstract drums, along with the heavy bass line is a great start to any song, a perfect layout like a road map of potential. But it dies…quickly. The vocals seem to degrade the feeling that is established by the music itself. It doesn’t go anywhere.

With my mood kind of shaken, I move on with hopes of some redemption. I continue being impressed by the drums and the composition, it’s a deep feeling rock album with experimental qualities. I am still looking for a cohesion with singer and instrument; water and clay; corned beef and cabbage. The song “Whitewash” was impressive with its poppy intro and dreary dance mix. You’re drawn into the massive bass line and drum technique that provides an experience of rushing in a still world; where your heart is racing but time seems still. Jeff Stultz finds his mojo with this track, a cohesive bond between what the vocals want you to feel and what the hardware is actually saying; it’s what keeps you wanting more.

Stultz finds himself again on the 7^th track, “Columns & Rows”, a melancholy trip with quick jolts of melody, stuttering drum rolls and heel-toe bass twitches. While Stultz’s muffled expressions make it difficult to tell what he’s really saying or trying to say, his sound is on point, packed with believable emotions.

It’s easy to enjoy the music by this band; their creativity and musical intelligence is apparent in every song. However, it quickly becomes evident on a number of tracks that the synthesis between instrument and vocals are missing. All aside, The Limbs have it– and when everything aligns, a sweet synthesis is found.

Written by: Stephen on March 24th, 2009 | Filed under Music Reviews