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.
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.
