Stone Crofts is a solo musician from Idaho who recently released his first DIY effort entitled Boreality. He started playing guitar at the age of fifteen but is still only eighteen. Three years of playing is still the embryonic stage of development by all accounts. I started playing guitar at twelve and am now thirty-seven. It wasn't until about ten years in that I felt I was becoming a decent guitarist and songwriter. My point being Boreality certainly has the feel of someone who is just starting out in terms of chord structure and songwriting but also displays some potential and talent as well.
The album starts off with “Another Day” which is a highlight. That being said he needs to be careful about being off key which is evident on the initial vocals. The song launches into a two power chord structure that sounds like the beginning of a Soundgarden song. “For You” is another success but also revolves around a similar two chord type structure. He does a better job staying in key this time around especially when he sings in a more natural range. “Motivations” has a good amount of emotional resonance to it and he arguably does his best job singing on this song. “Final Goodbye” has some resemblance to the band Blur. I remember being his age and I think the best recipe for me getting better was playing with other more experienced musicians. Hopefully he has the opportunity to do that. Other than that I would encourage him to start expanding his general knowledge. These songs are built on 4/4 time and major and minor scales. There is nothing wrong with that but being able to throw a wider range of theory will open up more emotional possibilities within the songs. I liked what I heard but I think his best material will be ahead of him if he keeps with it and is passionate about playing music. Boreality is a first effort that showed basic knowledge and talent and I hope to hear his evolution.
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