The primal roots which make-up the existence of The Bones of J.R. Jones are based out of upstate New York, in the Catskill region, where a little farmhouse is an escape for Linaberry from the spotlight of the big city. As life can be overbearing with social media, political antics, and everyone knowing your every move, here Linaberry can just be himself as he finds peace renovating this private space while shutting out the rest of the world, even his musical alter-ego.
Transforming into The Bones of J.R. Jones, Linaberry is in his greatest element as a proficient artist who fuses a melancholy brew of Soul, Blues, Roots/Folk, and the heart of Americana. In many ways, for his spiritual way of singing, The Bones of J.R. Jones can be easily compared to acclaimed artists from Hozier to The Black Keys. Not only this, but his talent for creating a full sound is so impressive as The Bones of J.R. Jones plays every instrument as a one man band.
The Bones of J.R. Jones released his first studio album, The Wildness, in 2012 and his second album, Dark Was the Yearling, in 2014. Expanding his horizons, it was his critically acclaimed third studio album, 2016’s Spirit’s Furnace, which saw The Bones of J.R. Jones in a more raw and open form both musically and sonically. Gifting his craft to all areas, the music of The Bones of J.R. Jones has also appeared in several movies and television series which has garnered even more buzz for this up-and-coming artist.
Produced by Rob Niederpruem, on Ones To Keep Close, The Bones of J.R. Jones slowed down the creative process this time around to allow the writing to be well thought out so the songs could really develop into strong, heavy duty musical pieces. By the end of the recording process, Ones To Keep Close had grown to be a soulful collection of hearty stomp-along songs ready to take on the world. Opening up Ones To Keep Close, the cool jam, laid back vibe of “The Drop” will transport a listener into a live music setting of jangling electric guitar. “Burden” features guest vocalist, Singer-Songwriter Nicole Atkins on this freeing track (“Put Your Burden On Me“). Haunting, the thump of a drum and an ominous crackle of feedback from the amplifier are what “Slow Down” is all about leading into “Know My Name.”
Next, the quiet and somber “Sinner Song” shows genuine remorse (“I am lost, I am ready to be found“). Then, “Please” has hands clapping to a true Gospel feel before the radio ready “I See You.” Thereafter,”Enemy” and “Sister” take on a smooth and chill aura so tranquil yet so loud. Not letting the title fool you, any listener will find “Die Young” to hang loose while giving life to a sunny melody. To close out in upbeat harmony, with a Mumford and Sons feel, “Take Me Away” is vividly reminiscent of that upstate New York farmhouse as the track speaks of being happy to get away and just disappear from it all.
A compelling effort, The Bones of J.R. Jones has written his best album so far with Ones To Keep Close. Filled with unbridled, foot-stomping jams, Ones To Keep Close inspires through both music and lyrics with a bone-chilling quiet intensity. An artist to watch, The Bones of J.R. Jones has everything at hand to sell out music venues around the world with Ones To Keep Close as his setlist. A must listen, CrypticRock gives Ones To Keep Close 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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