To be perfectly honest, there really isn't a lot of music from 2008 that I listen to on a consistent basis. I made the mistake of purchasing an "iPhone" and the budget-conscious part of me went for the model with less memory. I'm constantly grappling over what music to include. Inevitably, I'm usually cocked and loaded with a new-music-heavy rotation, but try to include a few staples that perpetually make the cut. You guys know the drill. All of this to say that Moondoggies' debut album, Don't Be A Stranger never leaves my ever-changing list of road tunes. That's a pretty hefty compliment. What Moondoggies do (does) so well is the incorporation of a whole slew of southern-inspired standards into an incredibly unique, and yet, familiar sound. "Black Shoe" is the truth off of that record, and even if it doesn't quite throw all the way back to slave hymnals, it almost does. What has me most revved for Tidelands, the band's upcoming October 12 release via Hardly Art, is that the first cut seems to be a left turn of sorts. Most of DBAS was rooted in the more mellowing and free-spirited meshing of soulful southern genres. The anthemic "Changes," however, is the cut from that album that I continually repeat. If "It's a Shame, It's a Pity" is any indication, Moondoggies plans on hitting more of that kind of chord, and often. On first jump, it's impossible not to hear the Neil Young (or, more aptly CSNY) sounds in the chorus harmonies. It hits the Moondoggies standards of familiarity, catchiness, and soul, but it's a little more expansive and brooding, as well. This track moves into muddier watters but remains buoyant with all of the qualities I loved from the last record. They have chops. They get after it. And they've listened to a lot of good records. Every strum of every guitar pounds this idea home. If you're new to the Moondoggies thing, download the first released track from Tidelands below, and also check out this little mini-documentary about the Seattle music scene featuring the band. Additionally, pre-order the album through Hardly Art by clicking HERE.
The Moondoggies – It's a Shame, It's a Pity
