Sunday, April 19, 2020

Wovenhand - Ten Stones (2008) | Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Wovenhand - Ten Stones (2008) album front coverWovenhand - Ten Stones (2008) album back cover
Wovenhand - Ten Stones (2008)
Tracklist front / back album art covers download

Wovenhand – Ten Stones (2008): Album Review, Tracklist, Credits & Trivia

Introduction to Ten Stones

Ten Stones is the fourth studio album by American gothic Americana band Wovenhand, released in 2008 via Glitterhouse Records.

The album continues the band’s evolution toward a darker, more rhythmic and rock-oriented sound, building on the foundation established in Mosaic (2006) while maintaining their signature spiritual and lyrical intensity.


Background and Recording

Following the transitional Mosaic, Wovenhand entered the studio with a clearer identity as a full band unit.

Ten Stones was recorded with a focus on:

  • Tight, groove-driven songwriting

  • Expanded electric instrumentation

  • More cohesive band interplay

The album reflects a period where the band refined their collective sound, emphasizing rhythm, repetition, and atmosphere.


Musical Style and Sound

Ten Stones blends:

  • Gothic Americana

  • Alternative rock

  • Post-rock

  • Early industrial influences

Key characteristics:

  • Repetitive, hypnotic rhythms

  • Dark, layered guitar textures

  • Minimalist yet powerful arrangements

  • Deep, spiritual and symbolic lyrics

Compared to Mosaic, the album is:

  • More focused and cohesive

  • Slightly heavier and more rhythm-driven

  • Less experimental, more structured


Ten Stones (2008) Tracklist

The album features 10 tracks:

  1. Not One Stone

  2. Burning Crosses

  3. Dirty Blue

  4. Kicking Bird

  5. King David

  6. White Knuckle Grip

  7. Charleston

  8. Horses in the Sky

  9. Black River Song

  10. Ten Stones

The tracklist delivers a consistent, immersive listening experience, centered around rhythm and atmosphere.


Album Credits

Band Members

  • David Eugene Edwards – vocals, guitar

  • Pascal Humbert – bass

  • Ordy Garrison – drums

Production

  • Produced by Wovenhand

  • Released by Glitterhouse Records

  • Recorded in the United States

The production style emphasizes tight arrangements and rhythmic precision, giving the album a grounded yet intense feel.


Reception and Legacy

Ten Stones received positive critical reception, with reviewers highlighting:

  • The band’s refined and cohesive sound

  • The strong rhythmic identity

  • Edwards’ commanding vocal presence

While not as experimental as some later albums, it is often viewed as a key step in the band’s progression toward heavier territory.


Most Popular Songs from the Album

Burning Crosses

A standout track with driving rhythm and intense lyrical delivery.

Kicking Bird

Features hypnotic repetition and dark atmospheric textures.

White Knuckle Grip

One of the album’s most energetic songs, emphasizing groove and tension.


Fun Facts About Ten Stones

  • The album continues Wovenhand’s shift from folk-based music to heavier rock structures.

  • It emphasizes rhythm and repetition more than earlier releases.

  • The band maintained a minimalist approach despite increasing heaviness.

  • It helped bridge the gap between Mosaic and later, more intense albums.


Trivia

  • The title Ten Stones reflects symbolic themes often found in Edwards’ songwriting.

  • The album features a stronger focus on groove than melody, compared to earlier works.

  • Some tracks reuse musical ideas introduced in Mosaic, but with tighter execution.


Did You Know?

  • Ten Stones is considered part of Wovenhand’s transitional era toward industrial and post-punk influences.

  • The album’s sound laid groundwork for the darker direction heard in The Threshingfloor (2010).

  • It remains a favorite among fans who appreciate the band’s balance between folk roots and heavier rock elements.


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