MOONSADNESS

Conspicuous are the weaknesses of 'Moonsadness',. Several previous reviews note the vocal affectations of the singer which are often truly comical. His entry into a track is usually reminiscent of a friendly cow mooing for its morning corn and his delivery of the words is so tortuous as to make them incomprehensible. Given, however, that the album was initially only a demo recording some of its other faults (the rather rather flat production values for example) are, perhaps, more understandable although the off ?key flute playing near the beginning of the opening track is something unforgivable under any circumstances. The music is clearly that of a band still searching to establish its 'Progressive' credentials. Some passages, especially in the final track, offer a rather laboured attempt at Crimsonesque complexity. And the 'neo-progressive' endeavour of the album to marry a Progressive Rock aesthetic with aspects of 1980's 'pop' (always a tricky ambition given that one was surely the antithesis of the other) is ultimately a failure. Nevertheless, despite these faults, as a 'demo' the album does fulfil its purpose by 'demonstrating' the band's ambitions, abilities and potential. The musicianship, without ever becoming spectacular, is certainly competent and capable of occasional beauty. Especially notable is the combination, of some lyrical guitar solo work against a luscious harmonic keyboard cushion ? particularly at the end of the opening track and throughout 'Seagulls' ? which achieves a melancholic beauty resonant with the album's title. After listening to this album a few times I have, therefore, become confident that later albums by Moongarden (I am, at the time of writing this review, unfamiliar with any) are able to achieve a much greater polish and will rectify the problems that are so evident here. Even the singer has a considerable vocal range and a warm tone which is only spoilt by his excessive and injudicious theatricality. Moongarden , then, offers a decent but flawed listening experience probably worthy of some 'alternative' downloading but certainly not a purchase.