[Review] Moon Letters - Until They Feel The Sun

Moon Letters is an American band from Seattle, formed in 2019 by musicians from other Prog groups. In February, they start working on their debut album Until They Feel The Sun, which is released on June 8, 2019. Self-released is available on CD and Digital, consisting of 10 tracks, in the form of concept albums. The album begins with “Skara Brae” which opens with a guitar riff, to which the other instruments are added little by little. It is an instrumental piece, with a change of time it becomes harsher and then closes with an outro in calando with the flute. “On the Shoreline” after a brief flute intro, an airy vowel enters, which subsequently overlaps creating a pleasant game. Well developed and with marked Symphonic Prog features, interesting flute interventions. “What Is Your Country” begins with the sound of the harbor, gulls and waves, the layered voice opens the song. Is a soft passing track, with a short piano insert before the end. “Beware The Finman” is characterized by a heavier sound, with a solid guitar riff, supported by tempo changes and a good synth. The singing is clean, the song also offers a good instrumental moment, with rhythmic changes and the musicians free to express themselves. It offers a good only 3/4 guitar, and even the keyboard test. “Those Dark Eyes” has a soft start of guitar and synth before opening into a well-developed crescendo that explodes and the vocal comes in at 2 minutes. The rhythms intersect, giving life to a well-developed and changeable track, with a well-balanced and expressive vocal. After a more symphonic passage, the song opens in an instrumental passage, one of the highest moments of the album, noteworthy is the guitar and keyboard duet. “Sea Battle” is the longest track of the album that starts again where it closed the previous one, with a nice 70s Prog style rhythm. The voice is harmonious and clean, the track is complex and alternates softer and accelerated parts with a heavier guitar. “The Tarnalin” after a soft start escalates immediately and becomes a more complex track, which opens between guitar and synth. The vowel è is softer and with the entry of the horns the level rises, the vocal returns and the track close. “It’s All Around You” of a minute, is a short vocal passage that concludes with a decreasing noise. “The Red Knight” starts with an excellent aggressive entrance and fast drum, with keyboards and guitar in evidence. The vocal is melodic and recalls the songs of the 70s, a good solo guitar characterizes the instrumental part, with the return to the main theme it closes. “Sunset Of Man” has a sweet start with keyboard and flute and after a minute enters a soft and warm voice. Enter the guitar and the song opens with the addition of the instruments, then turns into a beautiful piece of Prog, which leaves space for a synth solo. As the minutes pass, the intensity increases, a guitar solo, rhythm changes and a solid drum-bass base and the track closes. A good album that alternates softer moments with other aggressive ones, creating a Prog sound with 70s tones. Well structured and well executed, even if at times it seems to lack incisiveness, but it is a good job. Being the debut album of a band made up by musicians who never produced something together, it’s definitely a good start. The premises are all there, a band to follow also in the future, and I am convinced that with these starting bases we will feel good things.

Tracklist:

1. Skara Brae (2:50)
2. On the Shoreline (3:37)
3. What is Your Country (2:35)
4. Beware the Finman (7:47)
5. Those Dark Eyes (7:36)
6. Sea Battle (9:00)
7. The Tarnalin (4:34)
8. It’s All Around You (1:10)
9. The Red Knight (4:25)
10. Sunset of Man (7:29)

Lineup:

John Allday / Keyboards, Vocals, Trumpet
Mike Murphy / Bass, Vocals, Trumpet
Kelly Mynes / Drums, Percussion
Michael Trew / Vocals, Flute
Dave Webb / Guitars