Monday, September 9, 2024

The Lunar Effect : "Sounds of Green & Blue"

 







This band has succeded in sounding very British. By British we mean in the 70s, as they have that sound down. They split the difference between sounding like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. The first song owes more to Purple, with a slight twinge of Ian Gillan in his voice, though we do not hear him go up into his higher register then it is done in a more Robert Plant-like manner. They however get right about Zeppelin what Greta Von Fleet gets wrong. They actually bring balls to the proceedings and it sounds more like Zeppelin's second album than grandiose posturing. I guess no one is surprised that Greta Von Fleet is halfway to being trannies by now. 

"Colour My World' shows that they are not just being a tribute band, as you get to hear something that holds their personality. His upper register takes on a more Rob Halford feel, as it's given the contrast of hearing him sing lower leading into the song. There is also a great guitar solo on this song that adds to the song sonically. There is a slight undercurrent to grunge, but you never hear them trying to be Soundgarden, despite sharing similar dynamics at times. The guitar gets oddly dissonant like somebody fucked up on a track and they were like "Fuck it, that's a happy accident" The sloppiness is an interesting touch.  There is a more Deep Purple-like feel to "In Grey ", but I can also hear this as an ill-fated Blues-based attempt to write an Iron Maiden-like power ballad. Not that I would call these guys metal, though there are some heavier elements mixed in.

The piano line opening "Middle of the End" brings a more Jethro Tull-like dynamic into play. He takes his voice up into his upper register on the chorus and it feels like this is one of the main weapons in their arsenal. "Pulling Dreams" splits the difference between their Judas Priest side and Deep Purple. But Judas Priest I'd say the darker "Sad Wings of Destiny" era. Then they bring some of who they are into the Zeppelin side of the equation. The very fact he is drawing comparisons from some of the greatest singers is a positive testament to the band.  They return to a piano intro for "Fear Before the Fall" which helps distance them a little from their influences. 

The last song is also one of these barroom power ballads. They meander a little and rely on the louder dynamic to pull them out of their brooding morass. I will however give this album a 9, since they do try hard and my dude sings his ass off which gives them an edge over bands who use vocals as an after thought as this aspires to epic heights and is largely successful.This dropped on Svart Records, if you are a fan of vocal powered 70s rock then this is for you.  






pst442

No comments:

Post a Comment