Moon City Masters – The Famous Moon City Masters
The Moon City Masters – featuring twin muso brothers Jordan (vocals, bass) and Talor Steinberg (vocals, guitars), have been creating/ playing music together ever since they picked up their first instruments at twelve years old after their dad took them to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
You also get the impression there’s been quite the influential affection for dad’s record collection because while there is, as quoted on their bio, "a contemporary edge" to their music as the Moon City Masters, this is not so much the sound of the 70s as the very musical zeitgeist of that mid 70s era of US music where rock blossomed into branches of soul, funk, soft & hard rock, AOR and bags harmonies & hooks (The Doobie Brothers were one of the best exponents of that melting pot of styles).
That Doobies vibe (the band, not the more 'relaxing' cigarettes – although on second thoughts/ listen…) along with the sound of 70s soul-funk rock was heard to fine and effective effect on 2019 EP The Adventures of the Moon City Masters but on full-length debut The Famous Moon City Masters (gotta love these boys twinkle-in-the-superstars-eye attitude and album titles cheek) they’ve come up with not just one of the best 70s sounding homages (taking those of us 'of an age' right back – the brothers also look the part) but one of the best and most retro-refreshing rock albums of the year.
On this 11 track debut album however the influences stretch a little further – as example the one cover on the album, 'I’ve Got a Feeling,' doesn’t stray too far from the Beatles original (including the famous Paul & John dovetailing vocal sequence), thus retaining the late 60s vibe, but here also carries a little southern-styled panache and bigger 70s rock oomph.
But there is no question where the core of this album takes its influences from, as emphasised by opener 'Takin’ It Back,' which kicks off (and repeats throughout) like it’s going to head into Jackson 5 territory but in reality is a fun-packed slice of funky groovin’ rock with great vocals and harmonies (these boys can sing).
You also get the impression there’s been quite the influential affection for dad’s record collection because while there is, as quoted on their bio, "a contemporary edge" to their music as the Moon City Masters, this is not so much the sound of the 70s as the very musical zeitgeist of that mid 70s era of US music where rock blossomed into branches of soul, funk, soft & hard rock, AOR and bags harmonies & hooks (The Doobie Brothers were one of the best exponents of that melting pot of styles).
That Doobies vibe (the band, not the more 'relaxing' cigarettes – although on second thoughts/ listen…) along with the sound of 70s soul-funk rock was heard to fine and effective effect on 2019 EP The Adventures of the Moon City Masters but on full-length debut The Famous Moon City Masters (gotta love these boys twinkle-in-the-superstars-eye attitude and album titles cheek) they’ve come up with not just one of the best 70s sounding homages (taking those of us 'of an age' right back – the brothers also look the part) but one of the best and most retro-refreshing rock albums of the year.
On this 11 track debut album however the influences stretch a little further – as example the one cover on the album, 'I’ve Got a Feeling,' doesn’t stray too far from the Beatles original (including the famous Paul & John dovetailing vocal sequence), thus retaining the late 60s vibe, but here also carries a little southern-styled panache and bigger 70s rock oomph.
But there is no question where the core of this album takes its influences from, as emphasised by opener 'Takin’ It Back,' which kicks off (and repeats throughout) like it’s going to head into Jackson 5 territory but in reality is a fun-packed slice of funky groovin’ rock with great vocals and harmonies (these boys can sing).
The short and sweet melodic pop of 'Spinning Wheels' carries southern charm within its electro-acoustic arrangement (and a nice mix of Little Feat & The Allmans) while the dreamier, tempo-changing 'Draw The Line' has a lovely AOR/ Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers air about it (and a silly but satisfying finger-picking hoedown solo).
'No Warning' is, simply, one of the best mid-70s funky-country rock songs that never actually appeared in the mid-70s; it comes complete with really nice vocal harmonies and easy on the ear melodic chorus.
Similarly 70s is 'Send It On,' which mixes Moon City Masters funkiness with a distinctly classic Boston vibe, particularly on the lead vocal and reverbed heavy acoustic chorus (indeed it’s hard not to believe the chorus isn’t an intentional Boston homage/ nod).
The country-balladeering charm of 'Starstruck' (which would have sat comfortably on any of the Eagles first three albums) offers a nice, mid-album change of pace before said pace is picked up for the high-tempo funk-rock of 'Over Now,' with Jordan Steinberg laying down some impressively fast and bubbly bass lines.
(It should also be noted Talor Steinberg is none too shabby on guitar, with some very tasty and well-placed solos; honorary mention too for producer Justin Craig, who plays keys on the album and drums on 8 of the 11 songs, and the band’s live drummer, Harry Keithline, who is behind the kit on the others).
The funky-pop of 'Real Thing' is a nod to the feeling of being moved by music ("when you hear that song on the radio!") while the sweet, midtempo melody (and, again, lovely vocal harmonies) of 'Trust Someone' supports a lyrical plea to not give up/ try again ("you don’t gotta run, when your world comes undone… I think it’s probably time you trust someone").
Those aforementioned vocal harmonies (never over-done and therefore all the more effective) come to the fore on closing number 'Where You Wanna Run To,' a rhythmic, AOR/ light rock and roll number that, circa 1975/1976, would never have been of US radio.
70s rock ladies and funky gents, The Famous Moon City Masters – the soundtrack to a vibrant musical era nearly five decades on, and still relevant, much as the Moon City Masters deserve to be.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
'No Warning' is, simply, one of the best mid-70s funky-country rock songs that never actually appeared in the mid-70s; it comes complete with really nice vocal harmonies and easy on the ear melodic chorus.
Similarly 70s is 'Send It On,' which mixes Moon City Masters funkiness with a distinctly classic Boston vibe, particularly on the lead vocal and reverbed heavy acoustic chorus (indeed it’s hard not to believe the chorus isn’t an intentional Boston homage/ nod).
The country-balladeering charm of 'Starstruck' (which would have sat comfortably on any of the Eagles first three albums) offers a nice, mid-album change of pace before said pace is picked up for the high-tempo funk-rock of 'Over Now,' with Jordan Steinberg laying down some impressively fast and bubbly bass lines.
(It should also be noted Talor Steinberg is none too shabby on guitar, with some very tasty and well-placed solos; honorary mention too for producer Justin Craig, who plays keys on the album and drums on 8 of the 11 songs, and the band’s live drummer, Harry Keithline, who is behind the kit on the others).
The funky-pop of 'Real Thing' is a nod to the feeling of being moved by music ("when you hear that song on the radio!") while the sweet, midtempo melody (and, again, lovely vocal harmonies) of 'Trust Someone' supports a lyrical plea to not give up/ try again ("you don’t gotta run, when your world comes undone… I think it’s probably time you trust someone").
Those aforementioned vocal harmonies (never over-done and therefore all the more effective) come to the fore on closing number 'Where You Wanna Run To,' a rhythmic, AOR/ light rock and roll number that, circa 1975/1976, would never have been of US radio.
70s rock ladies and funky gents, The Famous Moon City Masters – the soundtrack to a vibrant musical era nearly five decades on, and still relevant, much as the Moon City Masters deserve to be.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ