Brian Raubacher: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Chris Lee: Guitar
Steve Jacyna: Drums
Brian Zupruk: Bass, Background Vocals
Brian Dodds: Organ, Moog
Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by: Kenny Eaton, Mystery Ton Studios
Artwork: Etay Pisano
Track Listing
1. Orca
2. Appreciation (ft. Ron Holloway on tenor saxophone)
3. Mary
4. Better Batter pt. 1
5. Powder Room
6. Better Batter pt. 2
7. Anniversary Dinner
I
really enjoyed listening to this album.
I’m a little biased because I’ve been seeing and enjoying Moogatu around
the region for a couple of years now, and they’ve never let me down. As much as I dig the band’s live work, I
was interested to se how their talents manifested in the recording studio.
The
album starts with “Orca” a funky exploration of passion and wisdom. The feeling of being on the hunt is in
the foreground, and the band works through knowing when to choose their
battles, and when to know you’ve got it good. “Is the grass green?” repeats a few times throughout the
song, and the music carries you as if you are on some kind of psychedelic
whaling ship.
The
album continues to impress as it winds through instrumental jams and magnificent
builds of energy. Though the band
has a great range, they seem to settle on hard, funky, jazzy jams most of the
time. They have an experimental
style that reminds me a bit of “The Flaming Lips” or “Phish”. It’s nice to get a slice of these guys
outside of the live music and festival scene, and they sure deliver.
Hopping
up and down writing this review and listening to the album, I am repeatedly
impressed by the shred and jam factors.
One of the real strengths Moogatu shows here is their ability to throw
down. There is never a weak
moment, song to song, and overall they build into a very strong collection. I very much enjoyed this album and I’m
looking forward to seeing where these guys go from here. And do NOT miss their two sets at Pink Moon this year!!
-Sethro
