If you were to read Atlanta musician Moondy’s manifesto, you might think he’s a New Age artist. When he states that he wants to make music for “people to enjoy in mind, spirit and body” or that he seeks to push “the realm of what people can imagine,” it’s not hard to imagine flutes and harps lulling one into a relaxed coma of inspiration.
But Moondy grew up and is influenced by bands as diverse as The Beatles and My Bloody Valentine, and his music is similarly as eclectic, ranging from melodic pop to driving noise rock. Turnip, Moondy’s debut album, borrows from his varied musical tastes as he pens songs about those closest to him, including his friends, wife, son, and family members. In fact, the moniker Moondy is dedicated to his mother who passed in 1991.
Moondy’s first album starts off with birds chirping on “Amy’s Song” before moving into a fuzzy tune with keys, soft singing and a psyche-rock backdrop. “Melissa’s Song” follows and starts off like a folk number before segueing into a fast packed indie rocker that sounds like something Guster might have penned a decade ago. Moondy shifts gears again with the plaintive ballad “Ricky’s Song” and the following tune “Joakim’s Song,” which sounds like it’s still part of “Ricky’s Song,” contains gentle vocals and a chilling atmosphere.
Though the album may have started in fuzzed out alt-rock waters, at the midway point Moondy is absorbed in mostly acoustic strumming and solemn keys; this culminates in “Dylan’s Song,” a beautiful piano-driven soft rocker that illustrates the influence The Beatles have on Moondy. The second half gets really creative with the experimental dance rock of “Muddy’s Song,” the soulful and sensual “Abby’s Song,” and the somber “Linda Lee’s Song,” which has a mid ’90s guitar crunch amid quieter interludes.
Moondy isn’t joking when he cites inspiration from Elton John and Nirvana, and it shows in his music. There’s really something for everyone here in this hodgepodge of styles and variations of rock ‘n’ roll, most of which are unusual, but all of which are interesting.
