One of Seattle's best-kept secrets, The Daughters Of Bristol are a gothic rock outfit made up of Missouri ex-pats better served by the cold and dreary atmosphere so stereotypical of the Pacific northwest. Stirring in their own portions of influences of classic post-punk and rock, the Daughters have crafted an excellent album in "Jones Hall," a heady brew of caustic anthems and meandering tunes that dig behind the ears and refuse to let go long after the music has stopped. This is vintage-sounding gothic rock that fits just as comfortably in 1985 as it does in today's music.

"Jones Hall" opens with the beautiful and haunting piano piece "St. Lucia," cleansing the listener's audio palate. The first proper rock song of the album, "Promise Land," follows with a simmering yet restrained energy that carries and soars through the rest of the album. The sound and style pay tribute to "First And Last And Always"-era Sisters Of Mercy without pandering to straight imitation, placing an indelible stamp of the Daughters' signature. The droning guitar complements Joseph's baritone vocals effectively enough, and sparse washes of synthesizers pepper the music at all the right places. The mechanical rhythm lets up towards the middle to make room for the more tribal beats of "City Lights." "Deep" is a purely acoustic song, serving as a serene interlude that prepares for the second half of the album. "First Terror" picks up the pace and energy again with some of the best chorus hooks of the album. This is a track worth a second hearing, to be sure. "At My Window" is a hollow piece that punctuates the album on a melancholy note. Draining, yet satisfying.

"Jones Hall" is a solid offering that really should not be missed by fans of old-school gothic rock. Three stand-out tracks, "Promise Land," "To Wonder Streets," and "First Terror," are potential dance-floor hits, and even some of the filler tracks are worth at least an objective bedroom listen. Between this and the "Voyage" EP, the Daughters' trajectory into the future is luminous and exciting. Essential modern listening.