Release
date: November 13th
2015. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Nocturnes
– Tracklisting
1.This
Tempest 04:49
2.Sinners
04:56
3.My
Song 21 01:29
4.Into
The Water 04:04
5.L.H.O.O.Q.
02:33
6.Misery
Hill 04:15
7.Hive
Mind 04:51
8.Out
On The Western Plain 04:14
Band
Members:
Chloë
Ní Dhúada: Vocals
Sid
Daly: Guitar, backing vocals.
Farl:
Guitar
Danni
Nolan: Drums
Barry
Hayden: Bass
Review:
Ireland's
Mother Mooch are an oddity. That's the best way to describe them.
Their music defies convention as they don't fall under one category
but a wide range of them. Blues Rock, Psych, Fuzz, Stoner, Doom,
Desert Rock and even Grunge. Their debut album – Nocturnes – is
an addictive slice of Heavy Rock music with Chloë's vocals being the
centre of attraction. Don't get me wrong the riffs are fantastic
through out but it's Chloë's soulful vocals that holds your
attention from the start.
Opening
track – The Tempest – is wonderful and weird sounding mix of
Psych, Desert Rock, Blues, Grunge and Stoner Rock given a trippy
modern makeover. The song and the whole album shouldn't really work
but Mother Mooch pull this off with grace and style. The riffs have
the right amount of power and excitement to put you in a hypnotic
trance.
Second
track – Sinners – is an almost seedy Blues Rock offering with the
band going for an almost shoe-gaze approach and it sounds superb
through out. It's not as heavy as the opening track but Mother Mooch
revel in this almost stripped back delivery of what we call ROCK
MUSIC. Chloë is on fine form once again as she packs a lot of power
with her superb vocals.
Third
track – My Song 21 – sees Mother Mooch venture into fast-paced
Hard Rock/Stoner/Punk Rock territory that's catchy as hell. It's
perhaps the closest Mother Mooch get into full party mood. An upbeat
and rebellious offering showing another side to Mother Mooch.
Fourth
Track – Into The Water – opts for a more classic 90s grunge sound
with delicate vocals to match. It starts off rather quietly and
slowly which gives Mother Mooch the chance to lay down some of the
albums finest riffs.
The
first 4 songs on the album should give you an impression on what to
expect for the rest of the album. Though to Mother Mooch's credit
they provide a few more surprises especially on songs such as
L.H.O.O.Q, Hive Mind and Out On The Western Plain.
The
final song – Out On The Western Plain – is an re imagination of
Leadbelly classic song - “When The Boys Were Out On The Western
Plains”. OK, a ton of other artists have covered this song in the
past such as Rory Gallagher but Mother Mooch have given this classic
song a Fuzz/Stoner Rock makevoer. And the results are impressive
indeed. This version has a few spaced out riffs and I never expected
that at all as I'm a huge fan of the original and Rory Gallagher
version.
Nocturnes
is an excellent debut album from Mother Mooch. It's a shame it's all
over and done within 30 minutes as the album could have done with
another song just to end it. Apart from that, Mother Mooch have
delivered an outstanding debut album. Check out that awesome album
cover as well.
Words
by Steve Howe
