MOONRAKER: 'Moonraker'
(Sidewinder) |
MOONRAKER, a Boston-based band with a fairly large following in that particular region of the country, showcase an amazing amount of potential for the future on this self-titled release - issued by indie label Immergent Records (a division of 5.1 Label Group) who, most notably, have the band Dishwalla on their artist roster.For those not familiar with MOONRAKER, all members of the band are in their early 20's -- all the more reason to be so impressed by this band.
Singer Kelli Scarr absolutely shines on this release, and utilizes her voice so well (much like a 'fifth instrument'), you can't help but focus specifically on her singing as that element that really brings it all together here.
Kelli Scarr's vocal phrasing has sometimes been compared to Bjork's (who seems to be an obvious influence - but not in an overt way).
However she's got a style all her own -- one that easily surpasses Bjork in terms of versatility and strength.
She double and triple-harmonizes with herself in just the right places, plus Kelli has more heart and soul than Bjork could ever dream of having.
And, just as she effortlessly jumps from one musical style to the next here (from R & B to Rock to Hip-Hop to Jazz, to wherever else she wants to take it), the sky's the limit for Kelli Scarr. Period.
It just depends on what she wants to do with all that talent.
Meanwhile, all the other members of MOONRAKER display excellent musicianship on this album.
Drummer Daniel Mintzer provides top-notch musical chops on whatever backbeat is called for -- no matter how complicated -- in each and every song here.
And that's what's so great about this band. You just can't pigeon-hole MOONRAKER into one particular style of music. It's simply impossible.
What struck me at first listen to the opening track 'Shalom' as an "Alternative"-type Pop/Rock band soon turned to Smooth Jazz, then on to Trip-Hop and Electronica.
MOONRAKER actually play very sophisticated music, with intricate arrangements all over the place here -- yet always functioning as a tight, cohesive unit that speaks uniquely as one.
Personally, my favorite songs on "Moonraker" are 'These Walls' (which has a great contemporary sound and, yes, some echoes of Bjork-style singing), 'The Rescue' (a great 'cool' minimal hip-hop groove with some neat sampling and trumpet sounds - I could listen to this one over and over), and 'So Sweet' (with a cool Techno/Jazz beat and a very memorable chorus).
However, there are no losers here.
Every song on this album has it's own individual identity that sets it apart from each of the others.
No two sound the same, which makes listening to MOONRAKER that much more enjoyable.
The only slight criticism I have here is that the production on "Moonraker" - while very adequate for an indie release - appears a little 'thin' to me.
I just thought that, personally - with all the great musicianship and dynamics going on within this band - a 'bigger' sound would sure be interesting to hear from MOONRAKER in the future.
So, if you never heard of MOONRAKER - well, now you have.
I would highly recommend this album to anyone who appreciates high-quality, diverse music -- both played and sung with lots of ambition and heart.
So don't think about buying "Moonraker" -- just buy it and think about it later. Because it really is that good.
- Michael Bennett, RockAndMetal.com
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