It's difficult to know what to make of Stone From Delphi. Their web site suggests that "There's a spark of creativity that makes them just that bit special" and that they challenge "the pressure against being original". This would be all very well, if it were not for the fact that it is false. While there is no doubting the fact that they are special, and extremely likeable, proclamations of "originality" per se may be a couple of proclamations too far.

Jazz-Indie Fusion Anyone?

"Texas Calls" contains a lot: Jazz, Blues, Prog Rock and Indie stylings. This is good. The entire band seems to have morphed into a rhythm section. This is interesting. Above the rhythms and wandering guitars, Andy Nelson's vocals meander around, lost, threatening to fall apart at the slightest touch. This borders on the beautiful.

But the problem, that you can't help feeling that you've heard this all before. I dare you not to find references to the bass line of Ocean Colour Scene's "River Boat Song" here. Similarly, I challenge you to find anyone else more equipped that Andy Nelson to win a Matthew Bellamy sound-a-like competion. Elsewhere, the rhythms of Rob Calderbank's drums and guitar suggest that someone's been listening to Dave Brubeck recently.

Perhaps, then, Stone From Delphi should not celebrate their creative originality, and rather celebrate their imagination in taking such disparate styles as those of jazz and mid to late ninties Indie. Because this is not a bad thing. Imagination may yet be an equal alternative to originality after all.

And Now For a Word From Our Incomprehensible Singer...

The lyrics of "Texas Calls" are typically Muse-esque. There is much talk of having souls saved and finding people who were once lost. Think "Unintended" and you have got the mood and theme established. Quite often, though, as with other prog/alternative rock (Muse, Radiohead, Elbow) the lyrics are lost in Nelson's delivery. Is he singing "I find you great", "I'll find you babe?" Or "I'll find you out"? Maybe it's all three. I don't know. Answers on a postcard.

Ideas Set in Stone

The overall feeling you get from listening to Stone From Delphi is that this band has a very clear idea of where they are going and what they want to do. Although their ideas may not have the inventive qualities they may like to think that they possess, there is certainly a lot there to impress, and I'd certainly like to hear more.

15/10/03 - First published on www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire on this link