Moon Hooch‘s sophomore album, This Is Cave Music, showcases the band’s truly unique sound. These guys don’t sound like any artists I’ve heard in quite sometime, if ever. However the public receives the album, they have successfully made an LP that is innovative and unique. For that reason alone everyone needs to press play and hear Moon Hooch. With that in mind I must say, I dig it.
A few things I noticed on the first listen all the way through:
You can tell these guys sure cut their teeth on and below the streets of NYC busking. The continuity the songs have is precise and remarkably done. When busking, a performer needs to know how to keep the attention of the ever shifting, ever moving audience. The idea is to make people take time from their busy days to hear you play, and throw some cash your way. The sound moves from part to part, song to song with ease. Not only did these fellas achieve that, but I tip my hat to whoever mastered the record as well.
The ensemble consists of drummer James Muschler, baritone saxophonist Wenzl McGowen, and tenor saxophonist Mike Wilbur. Bizzare arrangement, ain’t it? Be that the case, they make it work. With the drummer’s tight, disco-esque grooves laying the foundation for the two saxes to play catchy lines (sometimes known as the cantus firmus) and then out of nowhere break out into insane Jazz counterpoint that comes from years of devotion, you got yourself 42:22 of intensity.
What ties it all together in the mix is the ambient reverb drenched vocals and the Lfo “wobbles” that add another pair of legs to the beast. This album moves. Next time they’re in town, I’m definitely going to check them out; they must be a blast live with music like this. The next time I am in a cave, I will be thinking of This is Cave Music bouncing of stalagmites and stalactites and where humanity was at it’s finest; using their natural and nurtured creativity to make the world a better place to see and hear. Good job boys, thanks for sharing your LP with the world.
Check out “EWI” from This Is Cave Music below:
You can also stream the album in its entirety via NPR First Listen, up until it’s official September 16th release date. Enjoy!
-Written by Jack Sheehan