Description
Richard Lloyd – Lodestones – RSD Orange Vinyl Record
2018 Record Store Day release
Lodestones is the fourth solo studio album by Richard Lloyd, released in 1998. Best known as a founding member and lead guitarist of Television, Lloyd uses Lodestones to showcase the qualities that have long made him one of rock’s most respected guitarists: lyrical phrasing, melodic imagination, and a deep understanding of blues, rock, folk, and jazz traditions. While less celebrated than his work with Television, the album is a rewarding, mature statement that highlights both his songwriting and his exceptional musicianship.
By the late 1990s, Lloyd had already established himself as an influential guitarist through landmark albums such as Marquee Moon, whose intricate twin-guitar interplay with Tom Verlaine helped redefine the possibilities of rock guitar. Lodestones finds Lloyd building on that legacy in a more intimate, personal setting.
Rather than emphasizing extended guitar workouts, Lloyd focuses on concise, well-crafted songs. His guitar remains central, but it always serves the composition rather than dominating it. This balance between technical excellence and musical restraint is one of the album’s defining strengths.
Lloyd’s guitar playing is, unsurprisingly, extraordinary. His tone is clean, expressive, and highly nuanced, drawing equally from blues, jazz, and classic rock. His solos unfold like conversations, favoring melodic development over speed or flash. Every phrase feels carefully considered, reflecting decades of experience without ever sounding calculated.
As a vocalist, Lloyd has an understated, conversational style that suits the material well. While not as immediately distinctive as his guitar work, his singing conveys sincerity and emotional warmth, allowing the songs’ reflective lyrics to come through naturally.
Lyrically, Lodestones explores themes of memory, relationships, perseverance, self-reflection, and the passage of time. The writing is thoughtful and understated, avoiding grand declarations in favor of carefully observed emotions and experiences. Much like his guitar playing, Lloyd’s songwriting rewards close attention rather than demanding it.
The supporting musicians provide tasteful accompaniment throughout, creating arrangements that are rich without becoming crowded. Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and occasional additional textures are woven together with subtlety, giving the album an organic, live-band feel.
The production is warm and uncluttered. Every instrument occupies its own space, allowing Lloyd’s guitar work to shine while maintaining a natural ensemble balance. Unlike many late-1990s rock albums, Lodestones avoids excessive compression or studio effects, resulting in a sound that has aged gracefully.
One of the album’s greatest achievements is its consistency. Rather than relying on obvious singles, Lloyd crafts a cohesive collection of songs that unfold at a measured pace. The album invites repeated listening, revealing new details in the arrangements and guitar work over time.
Although Lodestones did not receive widespread commercial attention, it was warmly received by longtime fans and guitar enthusiasts, many of whom regard it as one of Lloyd’s strongest solo efforts. It demonstrates that his talents extend far beyond his reputation as a virtuoso guitarist, revealing him to be a thoughtful composer and accomplished songwriter.
Looking back, Lodestones occupies an important place within Lloyd’s solo catalog. It captures an artist unconcerned with trends or commercial expectations, instead focusing on timeless songwriting and expressive musicianship. The album exemplifies the craftsmanship that has earned Lloyd enduring respect among fellow guitarists.
With its elegant guitar work, reflective songwriting, and understated production, Lodestones is one of the hidden treasures of Richard Lloyd’s career. It showcases a master musician whose greatest strength lies not in technical display but in emotional expression and melodic invention. Quietly sophisticated and deeply satisfying, the album is an excellent choice for listeners who appreciate intelligent rock, tasteful guitar playing, and songs that reveal more with each listen.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
The Knockdown
Secret Words
King of Fools
Fooling
Lowdown
Already Gone
Highway Signs
I Will Show You Mine
Shimmer
Oh Paige
