The Moons - Mindwaves

The Moons, led by Paul Weller’s keyboard player Andy Crofts, have returned minus James Bagshaw and Tom Warmsley (now of Temples fame) to release their 3^rd album ‘Mindwaves’. The band, forever bridesmaids with support slots of Beady Eye, OCS and currently The Rifles, have yet another crack stepping into the limelight.

Their previous two albums have been radio friendly mod tunes which accentuate Crofts’ crooning vocals. ‘Mindwaves’ however, sees the band take a more aggressive Miles Kane approach towards all things mod.

The more aggressive songs come in the shape of ‘Body Snatchers’ and ‘You Can’t Slow Me Down’. ‘Body Snatchers’ combines the chemical world of Moon Duo and the melodic nature of Miles Kane to create a fuzzy glam rock number. Meanwhile, ‘You Can’t Slow Me Down’ utilises odd yet melodic production often associated with Graham Coxon alongside classic rock n roll song writing. At the point of the guitar solo, this production allows it to develop without feeling like regurgitated shite (remember Viva Brother!!!). Despite the big sonic leap Moons fans (of which TT is one) will be left wondering why Crofts vocals are not allowed to shine as they are clearly the star of the show.

The Moons have always wore their classic English pop influences on their sleeves and ‘Mindwaves’ is no different. The Beatles pulse through the veins on ‘On The Moon’. Crofts’ high pitched vocals are a beautiful tribute to McCartney on ‘She’s Leaving Home’. On ‘Heart and Soul’, they channel their love of Bolan and Bowie’s glam era. Both tracks do nothing to make you skip them but ultimately, if your influences are the best in the business your work needs to be of Noel Gallagher standards or listeners will just put a Bowie or Beatles record on instead.

What is lacking on those two songs is out in full force on ‘Sometimes’ and ‘Times Not Forever’, easily their best work to date. ‘Sometimes’ slows the pace enough for Crofts vocals to work in tandem with the new found production values rather than contrast. ‘Times Not Forever’, does raise the tempo but the production values are subtle and serve to lift the guitars and the killer bassline which surges  through this Small Faces meets Ty Seegal gem.

‘Mindwaves’, technically is the difficult third album and not all of it components work. However, there is plenty to revere here and we urge people to invest because TT senses the next album will be their masterpiece with ambitious production and classic songwriting working as one.