Moonlight Towers “Day Is The New Night”
Austin Texas band plays meaty rock and roll here, the opener “Heat Lightning” was a favorite of Little Steven Van Zandt, with its twin guitar riffs and horns in the chorus. Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist James Stevens has a knack for tunes that have more hooks than a baitshop. Highlights include “Can’t Shake This Feelin'” and the mid-tempo “Distant Wheels” which boasts fine soulful harmonies similar to Three Dog Night.
The bands’ harder rock tendencies are kept in check until the right moments in “Black River” and “Not A Kid Anymore”which recalls the most melodic moments of Guns N’ Roses. A solid beat is an energizing presence in all the songs, and no filler here either. Overall, most refreshing and if you wanted to hear soaring rock with both power and melody this is most recommended.
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The American Secrets “The Fight”and “The Flight” EPs
Here is a first – a band with 2 EPs that count as a full album together. The American Secrets are most famous as the winner of freecreditscore.com band search – having been picked by that company to do the TV commercials. With that initial burst of fame, the band have played SXSW and pumped out these dual EPs. Recorded live at a local studio with only vocals being overdubbed, they sound similar to Rooney or Death Cab For Cutie.
The solid musicianship and catchy melodies are easy to spot on “The Layman’s Heart,” and “Riding On A Falcon” has a bit of Bryan Scary showmanship, but the hooks kick in with the excellent “Mr. Cloud.” Another standout is the slow burn of “Fashion Pleasure.” The Flight EP adds the solid “Neon Train” and the Brian May-like guitars of “Flight Of The Vikings.” Taken together you hear the great potential here – but there is some inconsistency too. They clearly love that retro-70’s rock guitar aesthetic but stylistically they haven’t quite found themselves. However they are well on their way to being the next big power pop band.
(The Fight) | 
(The Flight)