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Recently I was extolled on the virtues of seeing New Haven's Goodnight Blue Moon in the live setting. According to the messenger they were "fun", "energetic" and "extremely talented". So when a copy of their new album showed up on my desk shortly after this conversation I was immediately intrigued. Let me say that the person I was speaking with earlier was not being hyperbolic at all. These guys really are all of those things and more.
How Long is the debut full length album from Goodnight Blue Moon and was self released back in March of this year. (Please don't ask me why it took me eight freaking months to finally listen yo these guys. That's a huge 'my bad' on my part.) So let's get back to those earlier adjectives. Fun? Check. There are some outstanding foot-tapping moments on this album and they draw from a massive well of inspirations, including but not limited to 60's orchestral pop and folk, indie folk, bluegrass, and various segments of 'Americana'. Energetic? Check. I still have yet to partake in this band in the live setting but these songs are built to by played live. From what I've read they carry as many as eight members on stage now. Good thing, because they'll need it. Their instrumentation is as varied as their influences with songs that utilize such tools as banjo, trumpet, cello, violin, and upright bass as accompaniments. Not to mention some seriously killer vocal arrangements reminiscent of such classic harmonizers like Simon & Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Extremely talented? Check and double check. I have to be honest here for a second that I was slightly leery when I realized that Track 1 was a modern day rendition of an old Spiritual. But it was so beautifully done that they had me hooked from that point forward. The styles and structures used in these songs are somewhat manic. At one point you are experiencing some down-home cooking, so to speak, only to be tossed back in time by a song with a huge sound reminiscent of the Beatles or later era Beach Boys (and sometimes these transitions are all within in the same song). But the fact that they can be this varied and yet the transitions are not only seamless, but downright potent is a testament to the talent this band has. They have successfully merged styles and sounds that, at first glance on paper, probably shouldn't work. But by sheer will and muscle they're proving that with enough talented players in your troupe that you can take great songs, structure them any damn way you please and create a unique and enjoyable listening experience.