Moon Duo is the side-project of guitarist Ripley Johnson from the band Wooden Shjips, he is joined by former school teacher Sanae Yamada on vocals and keyboard, both from Portland, Shadow of the Sun being their third LP.
The record is instantaneous, with just the right blend of psychedelic, bleeding guitar work and anolog electronics. Just as the album artwork depicts, it is a journey into their minds through compelling artistry, with many a nod to the past.
Their droning yet poignant vocal style and feverish beats are disarming - with acute sensation delivered in a tangible and infectious mode, especially on tracks ‘Free the Skull’ and ‘Zero’. ‘In a Cloud’ is psych rock precision - honeyed riffs set aside the playful hues of an intertwined male and female vocal, with the gentle background thud of the reverb.
However dream-like and accidental Shadow of the Sun may appear, their knowledge of music is clearly decipherable, each strung out-riff completely stylised and on purpose.
The nine tracks are a weird spell that keeps the listener enchanted, completely engaged and hypnotised without breaking focus. There is nothing sentimental about Moon Duo - their sound is without all of that peace and love narrative which can often come into play in this particular strain of rock, often diluting its wonderful trippy power. Interesting, spacey yet completely controlled, Shadow of the Sun is an instant pleaser.
No comments:
Post a Comment