Allow me to introduce you to the two complementary sides to the Stonegnome persona: on the one hand—the cold and strictly analytical…
Cicada.-
Perfectly equipped to assess the smallest differences between the songs of those who would come a-wooing her affections, the Stonegnome Cicada tirelessly analyses all of the music that comes her way. By placing like with like and positioning the disparate appropriate distances apart, the Cicada's unbiased objectivity guides the ordering of the site and determines the operation of the portal into the analytical areas of the Comparative Discography. Even if you do not always understand it, you may trust her judgement, for it is made entirely without bias or favour.
And on the other—the opinionated and passionate…
Dragon.-
Even the Stonegnome would not try to remain entirely objective about music. Thus there is a fiery and passionate (for all that he too is made of stone) Dragon to preside over the subjective areas of this site. The Dragon acts as custodian of the Stonegnome reviews and points the way to suppliers of the wares amassed within his hidden hoard. Not everyone will agree with the views expressed within the Dragon's realm; fiery blasts and icy stares abound in more or less equal measure when the scratch marks are deemed not to come up to scratch themselves. If you wish to see how well (or not) other (albeit mere mortal) souls agree with the Stonegnome Dragon's assessments, you have only to let him escort you to the summary pages on those external websites (usually within the jungles of Amazonia) where such tallies are tallied and the reckonings reckoned. There you too can cast your own support (negative or positive) for the opinions gathered there.
An independent pair of antlers…
Moose.-
Made not of stone (nor perhaps of any earthly matter) the Ultimate and Hyperborean Moose is an independent arbiter of matters moosical and mossical. Less oft seen on this site than in days of yore, you may yet still find the odd invitation to depart the lands of Stone and consult the antlered one on these musics instead. Some say this guarantees a more balanced view. Or is it merely one of softer hue?
Before continuing…
Be warned!To a casual visitor, the Stonegnome site may appear as a tangled maze of twisting and inter-connected tunnels, through which an easy route may not always be clear. Oft-times it may seem that the roles of both Cicada and Dragon are less to guide, than to ensnare and entrap the visitor… as, indeed, it may be! So: enter this domain at your peril!
Enjoy!