Moraine - Manifest Density album review from modmove

LAPDANCE LARRY

SEVENTIES SIMON

PHOTOGRAPHY

COMIC ART

INTERVIEWS

Sub-menu 1.2.1.1

FESTIVALS

EXHIBITIONS

Moraine – Manifest Density
Spare a thought for the partner of a prog rock fan. Imagine being introduced to this music and thinking that all popular music was played in 13/64 time or that song construction always consisted of ten or more different stylistic variations in every song. That song length under eight minutes long was almost nonexistent and vocals were rare. To me this sounds like heaven but for the benefit of my lovely partner, can a compromise (slight or otherwise) not be found.

In this time of need, in steps the Seattle, Washington based band Moraine to help our relationship with this slice of sonic sympathetico. The band led by guitarist extraordinaire Dennis Rea is a powerhouse of individuals with advanced musical ability and compositional prowess but instead of cramming every nook and cranny with musical schizophrenia, they choose a different path.

While some of the music on Manifest Density has its share of bumblebee buzz, the album’s heart and soul lies in a more harmonious place. Augmenting the traditional guitar, bass and drums with lashings of violin and cello gives the tracks the impetus to slow down and become more melodic. It all sounds less like virtuoso competition and more like subservience to memorable moments.

There is enough amazing playing here to satisfy even the most ardent fan of titanic technique but with enough melody to give casual listeners something to get their ears around. I can play this around my long-suffering partner and not only does she stay in the room, she has actually commented positively on a number of the tracks. As an aid to domestic bliss, this album is the bomb, now if I can just figure out a way to get her to listen to Captain Beefheart!
Rob Hudson
www.myspace.com/moraineseattle

also featured

Tenacious D – Rize Of The Fenix
Comedy and music have never been the most comfortable of bedfellows.
Read more >>

Allan Holdsworth – Hard Hat Area
When you have a musician with as much facility on their chosen instrument as Allan Holdsworth has on guitar, there is absolutely no limitation on what can actually be played.
Read more >>

Jack White – Blunderbuss
With a work ethic and musical output rivalled by few if any, Jack White sets aside all of those numerous other projects to create a set of songs under his own name.
Read more >>

The Decemberists - We All Raise Our Voices
to the Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11)
Facing more obstacles than most in translating their studio confectionary into a meaty live sound, The Decemberists have attempted just such a thing with We All Raise Our Voices to the Air. Read more >>

White Rabbits – Milk Famous
Using their sophomore album, It's Frightening as a template, White Rabbits take a stab at progression.
Read more >>

Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth
Do some popular music statements come out of a time warp or do they create their own?
Read more >>

Slivovitz – Bani Ahead
When you have superlative players’ on board, things can easily digress into instrumental insurrection, on Bani Ahead, Slivovitz side step this problem by being almost completely consumed by the groove.
Read more >>

Big Deal – Lights Out
All band notoriety aside, is there any subject matter that creates more column inches than love?
Read more >>

My Best Fiend – In Ghostlike Fading
Like the Werner Herzog film the band is named after, My Best Fiend delivers an album deep in duality.
Read more >>

Stay up to date with modmove news

about modmove

What to know how we got started?
Read more >>

read the modmove blog

Check out all the random stuff that didn't make it to the website!
Read more >>

If you have any queries or if you would like more information about modmove,
we would love to hear from you!
Read more >>

join our mailing list

subscribe to the mailing list and receive the modmove newsletter.

search modmove for previous news and reviews.