Tag: Mooner

Timmy Sean and Mooner

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Timmy Sean “A Tale From The Other Side” Part I

Inspired by Stephen King, California musician-producer Timmy Sean rolls out a “supernatural thriller, monster movie rock opera,” ten years after his impressive debut. The album concept starts off as a fun coming-of-age story (a bit autobiographical) in Part I, with Part II due early 2021.

After the spooky intro “opening credits” the guitar and harmonies flow on “The College Year” a richly produced mid-tempo ballad that looks back after graduating. “In California” bursts out with a fresh power-pop melody loaded with hooks, and it’s the big highlight. “Fortune and Fame” have Weezer and Lenny Kravitz influences, as it marches along to a soulful beat. The music is loaded with bombast, as “My Jaded Love” is a wonderful piano ballad with some overbearing percussion that plays into the anthemic “Over and Over Again.” The sound effects and bits between songs hold the story together but are so frequent that it can be distracting. However, there isn’t a bad song anywhere and the entire production is top-notch. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp

Mooner

Mooner “The Alternate Universe of Love”

It’s been a few years since Lee Ketch’s Mooner delivered a new album and The Alternate Universe of Love has Lee experimenting with textures and sounds along the lines of Jeff Tweedy, but he still knows how to write a great song, as the opening title track shows. It starts quiet with an acoustic guitar but mid-way through gets funky with synths and drums.

The next few tracks, quietly bring out lots of contrasts. “Can I Be Angry?” has a sedated vocal, as the guitar rhythm gets progressively “angrier.” “Eleanor’s Ideas,” tells a good story, but for all the neat sonic tricks, it doesn’t resonate much. But then we get “I Can’t Tell,” a classic hook-laden melody that draws you in. And then one of Lee’s best-ever songs “Why Don’t You Need Me?” a brilliantly written ballad, that cries out with strings and piano.  “Is This All I Can Do To Love You?” is a solid mid-tempo eulogy to a lost relationship. After this, we get back to atmospherics on the remaining tracks. This is a heart-felt grower of an album, and music fans should grab some headphones and check it out.

Amazon

Mooner and Michael Slawter

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Mooner

Mooner “Satisfaction-promise”

After Mooner created the amazing Masterpiece a few years ago, I wondered what Andy Ketch would do next. We have both brilliance and experimental rock on display in this LP. Opening with “Yeah, I read it,” it mixes word association with gleefully wild guitar noise. “The Stand-In” is a sweet catchy gem about a washed-up actor, “don’t mind him, he’s a stand-in, OK?” Echoes of Big Star are all over “I Don’t Know How,” and the ballad “Desire” has a yearning chorus with some nice harmonies.

The songwriting shifts around in tone, but notable tunes are “My Sorrow” and the creeping “Slow Parade Of Love” that grows into a gorgeous chorus. Ketch and company know exactly how much distortion to use effectively, very much like Radiohead’s early efforts. While not hitting the highs of the last release, this is still a highly recommended release. Don’t miss it.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Michael Slawter

Michael Slawter “Last Call For Breaking Hearts”

Thanks to the folks at Futureman Records, we get another blast of guitar pop from Mr. Slawter. “Summer’s Kind” is a wonderful jangling gem that sure to stay on my playlist all year. The hooks come fast and hard on “Free Fall” and the rumbling reverb of “Same Old Thing,” so fans of Bob Mould or The Well Wishers will want to check these songs out. Lots of highlights including, “The One (And Only),” and “We Belong.”

Slawter adds some archival material after the new stuff, in the form of the “Mick in ’69” EP, originally released 2013. It’s amazing how consistent Michael’s sound has been and with a total of 16 tracks, it still holds up. Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Mooner and Jeremy Porter

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Mooner

Mooner “Masterpiece”

Who knew this Chicago band would knock its debut album out of the park? The aptly titled album starts out with a big guitar riff on “Shapeshifter,” with its crunchy + jangle thick rhythm section it impresses right away. Singer/songwriter Lee Ketch wrote the title track as a love letter to his wife and its got a hook in the chorus that lays into you and doesn’t let go — an instant classic. You’ll hear a distinct 70s classic rock influence throughout; Big Star, Warren Zevon, Raspberries and even a little Billy Joel. “Anytime” is another chiming gem, next we get a Tom Petty-like jam on the slow building “Dream.”

Honestly, each track is compelling and deserves repeat listens, as the fantastic “Why Don’t You Want To” has layered vocal, handclaps, and sweet key shifts. The band also has a great variety in the style of music from the somber Wilco-like “I’ll See You Again” to the hook-filled “Alison,” a song about a school boy crush. Easily in the running for my year end top ten list. Get it now!

Amazon

Jeremy Porter and the Tucos

Jeremy Porter and the Tucos “Above The Sweet Tea Line”

Detroit’s Jeremy Porter and the Tucos do a great job combining root rock and power pop across the entire 9 tracks on Above The Sweet Tea Line. “Josh” is a epic rocker about a childhood cat, feels like a mix of The Eagles and The Lemonheads.”Bottled Regrets” is a highly descriptive narrative about the dynamics of running a band, with a hot guitar solo in the break.

A catchy riff heads up “Elimination Round” and the slow shuffle of “Don’t Call Me Darlin’” is a alt. country gem of a duet with Jillian Rae. The energetic “Hey Kentucky” is another standout here, and even though the last few tracks don’t stick out as much, with the exception of the chorus to “Sounds Like Goodbye” there is more than enough here to make this LP highly recommended.

Amazon

Wednesday Mini-Reviews: Mooner, Homer Marrs and Agent 13

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Mooner
I saw the potential in Mooner two years ago as a real talented band. Now my instincts have been rewarded with the first single from Mooner’s debut full-length LP “Masterpiece” Available on vinyl and digital October 9th, 2015 via Aerial Ballet Records. Awesome!

Homer Marrs and the Excellent Adventure
Homer Marrs and the Excellent Adventure is a Chicago-based indie rock act that similar to They Might Be Giants but feel a bit goofier – anyway we have a FREE EP download and you can be the judge.

Agent 13
Agent 13 make archetypal rock and roll. It’s classic but its not ‘Classic Rock’, it’s familiar but its not ‘Retro’. But most importantly, its got guitar lead melodies. Kinda reminds me of the The Heartless Devils from several years ago. And for seven bucks you get a big pile o’ music.

Keith LuBrant and Mooner

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Keith LuBrant “Who I Am”
If you weren’t sure who LuBrant was based on his last album, “Wide Awake and Alive” leaves little doubt. Energetic drums and driving riffs bring to mind Cheap Trick with a touch Bon Jovi, but underneath all the flash is a good hook. “She Always Finds A Way” and “Call Off The Search” are a good follow ups with some inventive song writing and amazing guitar touches along the way.

His clear vocals allow a good mid tempo number like “Breathe” to shine, sometimes the pop gloss is thick as “Good For The Girl” reminds me of The Gin Blossoms. Keith does have some Jellyfish like moments on the title track, and then adds some nice bluesy guitar flourishes on “Sunshine In The South.” Not every song has a hook, but enough do to make this a solid melodic rock entry.

CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Jam Recordings

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Mooner “Unpronounceable Name” EP
Chicago based Mooner has a terrific sound on this short EP. Thanks to brothers Lee and David Ketch, they share a love of both power pop and alt. country – which means they emulate early Wilco, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Joined by joined by drummer Adam Bonich and bassist Dann Morr they give us some meaty baseline riffs  on “Shapeshifter” and a slow build to a steady ramble on “White Lines” about truckin’ down the highway (fans of Bob Seger would be proud). This is a talent band that we look forward to hearing more from.