For those who don't know, Moose Blood is a emo/pop punk band from the United Kingdom. They have not released new music recently, but they are probably in my top three favorite bands in the genre right now. I know I am late to get on the Moose Blood train. In my opinion, better late than never, and I am so glad I discovered this band at the beginning of 2017.
Now, I would like to point out that I know Moose Blood has recently been the subject of some headlines about sexual harassment allegations against their drummer, Glenn Harvey, who is no longer a member of the band. I have also caught wind of allegations against the vocalist, Eddy Brewerton, that have not yet been addressed. All of the news surrounding Moose Blood right now is negative and I do not support nor condone this type of behavior, therefore, this review will strictly focus on the music Moose Blood has released to date.
Now, get ready, this is going to be fun.
Now, I would like to point out that I know Moose Blood has recently been the subject of some headlines about sexual harassment allegations against their drummer, Glenn Harvey, who is no longer a member of the band. I have also caught wind of allegations against the vocalist, Eddy Brewerton, that have not yet been addressed. All of the news surrounding Moose Blood right now is negative and I do not support nor condone this type of behavior, therefore, this review will strictly focus on the music Moose Blood has released to date.
Now, get ready, this is going to be fun.
In 2013, Moose Blood released their first EP, Moving Home, as well as a split record that included two songs from Moose Blood and two songs from Departures. The "Split" is an EP that I own on vinyl. The artwork is haunting but intriguing, and Moose Blood fits so well with Departures. It starts out with heavier/darker tracks by Departures and ends with a more punk/emo sound by Moose Blood. This isn't the most popular release from the band, but the two bands mesh so well that I think it deserves as much recognition as possible. |
In 2014, Moose Blood's first full-length album, I'll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time, dropped. This album is nearly perfect in my opinion. The band focuses a bit more on the lyrical content on this project which I really appreciate. Not to mention the album artwork that I can't get enough of.
There isn't a single song on this track list that I don't like, so I will just point out a few that stand out to me the most.
'Bukowski' is one of my favorite tracks on the album. This may seem typical to those who know Moose Blood, but I really enjoy all of the references to pop culture in the lyrics. See if you catch them. This song is, in my opinion, the most memorable track on the album. I also can't get the line, "To keep warm, I'll bring a sweater. You can have mine, it looks better..." out of my head.
The vocals on 'Swim Down' are amazing in my opinion making this quite possibly my favorite track. Brewerton sings about a lover and the everyday frustrations she goes through because of him. I love the lyrics, "I've been thinking about you girl. Sweetheart I owe you the world." I also can't forget "Let me hold your hand. We can talk about our favorite bands. And how "Nevermind" still blows me away." Not only do I relate to the lyrics but I can't get enough of the pop culture references on this album such as this one which refers to the famous Nirvana album "Nevermind".
The opening track, 'Cherry', starts out very slow and I found myself waiting for a breakdown, but it never came. The track has a somber tone all the way through, but I like it. It is a track about heartbreak and it is powerful.
'I Hope You're Missing me' and 'I Hope You're Miserable' are different, but the instrumentation is captivating on both.
The lyrical content on the entire album has the emo vibe Moose Blood is known for. The album has an obvious focus on love and love lost, which most likely has a lot to do with Brewerton's struggles at the time the album was written.
Listen the the full album. The project as a whole seems to tell a story. There is a love story going on here with ups and downs just like any other, but inevitably it ends at a low point that is expected from the tone of the record.
There isn't a single song on this track list that I don't like, so I will just point out a few that stand out to me the most.
'Bukowski' is one of my favorite tracks on the album. This may seem typical to those who know Moose Blood, but I really enjoy all of the references to pop culture in the lyrics. See if you catch them. This song is, in my opinion, the most memorable track on the album. I also can't get the line, "To keep warm, I'll bring a sweater. You can have mine, it looks better..." out of my head.
The vocals on 'Swim Down' are amazing in my opinion making this quite possibly my favorite track. Brewerton sings about a lover and the everyday frustrations she goes through because of him. I love the lyrics, "I've been thinking about you girl. Sweetheart I owe you the world." I also can't forget "Let me hold your hand. We can talk about our favorite bands. And how "Nevermind" still blows me away." Not only do I relate to the lyrics but I can't get enough of the pop culture references on this album such as this one which refers to the famous Nirvana album "Nevermind".
The opening track, 'Cherry', starts out very slow and I found myself waiting for a breakdown, but it never came. The track has a somber tone all the way through, but I like it. It is a track about heartbreak and it is powerful.
'I Hope You're Missing me' and 'I Hope You're Miserable' are different, but the instrumentation is captivating on both.
The lyrical content on the entire album has the emo vibe Moose Blood is known for. The album has an obvious focus on love and love lost, which most likely has a lot to do with Brewerton's struggles at the time the album was written.
Listen the the full album. The project as a whole seems to tell a story. There is a love story going on here with ups and downs just like any other, but inevitably it ends at a low point that is expected from the tone of the record.
"Blush" is Moose Blood's most recent release. It got a lot of attention in 2016 and still shines into this year. The album dropped August 5, 2016 which I am only noting because that is my birthday.
Moose Blood did not change their sound much from one album to another, but this release proved that they are capable of evolving making them a band with the potential to withstand the test of time. They refined their sound and showed growth in their messages and instrumentation. The overall messages and sounds of this record are much more positive and hopeful than their previous album. The differences are obvious from first glance at the album artworks to the lyrics and instrumentation. There is also a trend of one-worded track titles which is a cool concept. I haven't mentioned this yet, but Eddy's vocals are strong on all of their releases, and that sets Moose Blood apart from other bands in the genre.
Let's go track by track for this one!
The opening track, 'Pastel' begins with the words, "It's been a few years now, and girl I'm sleeping better than I ever have." This is interesting to me because it seems like it stems from the ending track of the previous albums, "I Hope You're Miserable". The song is about Eddy's marriage and how difficult it was the get to that point. He desperately doesn't want to let her down. This is much more aggressive musically than the rest of the album.
'Honey' was the first single released, and this song is catchy. I hate to admit it, but I purchased the single on vinyl the same time I purchased the album on vinyl, so I have two physical copies of 'Honey'. The guitars at the beginning of the track steal the show and the line "We are good for each other and this will pass like the weather" displays a hopeful undertone to the song. Relationships are hard, but it can only go up from here according to Eddy.
I absolutely LOVE this next song. 'Knuckles' hit me hard at first listen and I relate to the lyrics more and more with each listen. He holds onto the words someone is saying even though he knows they don't mean it. This song is catchy, beautifully written and well produced. If you are looking for an upbeat song to check out from Blush, this is the one! lyrics that stand out to me on this track are, "You had it all planned out didn't you, didn't you?"
'Sulk' is one of the more somber songs on the album with a strong bass line. It is one I go back to often, and the line, "I swear to God, she's not a mother. She never was. Why do you bother giving her your time?" makes me think someone was hurt by a girl who isn't ready to settle down.
The next track, 'Glow' has a repetitive element to it that sticks in my mind. This song about death and taking things too far is catchy until you look deeper and see that it is actually quite haunting.
The distinguishing intro to 'Cheek' is so pop punk it hurts and I can't get enough. The guitar focus is exactly what I would expect and hope for from Moose Blood. This one is the one I turn up in the car with the windows rolled down. All I can say is go listen to it. I fell in love.
'Sway' is a sadder song about being drunk and thinking about a complicated relationship. I think I love this song so much because it is so relatable for me. "I heard you tell your friends I'm the one who don't mind. Of course I mind. Of course I mind." Those lines just kill me, but see for yourself. Let me know if this song is as good as I think it is or if it is just relatable.
The slowest song on the album, 'Shimmer' is easily the "rainy-day track" and I have definitely played this track when I'm down or on a bad day. Moose Blood is known as an emo/punk band, and those emo vibes come out on this track. Each time I listen I get a feeling of nostalgia for the My Chemical Romance Welcome to the Black Parade era.
Another slow tune, 'Spring' is haunting and filled with powerful emotion. It seems to be about a suicide. The lyrics begin with Eddy saying he could have changed it if he would have known but the rest of the song is more about questioning whether the death was painful and remembering that person the way they used to be. Someone whose mood changes based on the music playing should be aware that this song has a sad a depressing tone. It is truly a beautiful song lyrically, but nothing really special stood out to me in the instrumentation. I have heard it said that the opening to the track does not connect with or draw in an audience, but, in my opinion, that fits well with the message of the song. While in mourning, thoughts are heavy and difficult to express with makes sense with this track.
The album ends on more upbeat track, 'Freckle'. Although it has a nice sound throughout, I have found this track to be one that blends in and is forgettable for me. I never really go back to this one. The instrumentation and lyrics aren't bad, but I have heard much better from Moose Blood.
Overall, the guitar riffs, bass lines and drum lines stand out on this album which I expected from this band. The lyrics always hit me and although some tracks can blend together, the overall album is a solid release from this UK punk band.
Moose Blood did not change their sound much from one album to another, but this release proved that they are capable of evolving making them a band with the potential to withstand the test of time. They refined their sound and showed growth in their messages and instrumentation. The overall messages and sounds of this record are much more positive and hopeful than their previous album. The differences are obvious from first glance at the album artworks to the lyrics and instrumentation. There is also a trend of one-worded track titles which is a cool concept. I haven't mentioned this yet, but Eddy's vocals are strong on all of their releases, and that sets Moose Blood apart from other bands in the genre.
Let's go track by track for this one!
The opening track, 'Pastel' begins with the words, "It's been a few years now, and girl I'm sleeping better than I ever have." This is interesting to me because it seems like it stems from the ending track of the previous albums, "I Hope You're Miserable". The song is about Eddy's marriage and how difficult it was the get to that point. He desperately doesn't want to let her down. This is much more aggressive musically than the rest of the album.
'Honey' was the first single released, and this song is catchy. I hate to admit it, but I purchased the single on vinyl the same time I purchased the album on vinyl, so I have two physical copies of 'Honey'. The guitars at the beginning of the track steal the show and the line "We are good for each other and this will pass like the weather" displays a hopeful undertone to the song. Relationships are hard, but it can only go up from here according to Eddy.
I absolutely LOVE this next song. 'Knuckles' hit me hard at first listen and I relate to the lyrics more and more with each listen. He holds onto the words someone is saying even though he knows they don't mean it. This song is catchy, beautifully written and well produced. If you are looking for an upbeat song to check out from Blush, this is the one! lyrics that stand out to me on this track are, "You had it all planned out didn't you, didn't you?"
'Sulk' is one of the more somber songs on the album with a strong bass line. It is one I go back to often, and the line, "I swear to God, she's not a mother. She never was. Why do you bother giving her your time?" makes me think someone was hurt by a girl who isn't ready to settle down.
The next track, 'Glow' has a repetitive element to it that sticks in my mind. This song about death and taking things too far is catchy until you look deeper and see that it is actually quite haunting.
The distinguishing intro to 'Cheek' is so pop punk it hurts and I can't get enough. The guitar focus is exactly what I would expect and hope for from Moose Blood. This one is the one I turn up in the car with the windows rolled down. All I can say is go listen to it. I fell in love.
'Sway' is a sadder song about being drunk and thinking about a complicated relationship. I think I love this song so much because it is so relatable for me. "I heard you tell your friends I'm the one who don't mind. Of course I mind. Of course I mind." Those lines just kill me, but see for yourself. Let me know if this song is as good as I think it is or if it is just relatable.
The slowest song on the album, 'Shimmer' is easily the "rainy-day track" and I have definitely played this track when I'm down or on a bad day. Moose Blood is known as an emo/punk band, and those emo vibes come out on this track. Each time I listen I get a feeling of nostalgia for the My Chemical Romance Welcome to the Black Parade era.
Another slow tune, 'Spring' is haunting and filled with powerful emotion. It seems to be about a suicide. The lyrics begin with Eddy saying he could have changed it if he would have known but the rest of the song is more about questioning whether the death was painful and remembering that person the way they used to be. Someone whose mood changes based on the music playing should be aware that this song has a sad a depressing tone. It is truly a beautiful song lyrically, but nothing really special stood out to me in the instrumentation. I have heard it said that the opening to the track does not connect with or draw in an audience, but, in my opinion, that fits well with the message of the song. While in mourning, thoughts are heavy and difficult to express with makes sense with this track.
The album ends on more upbeat track, 'Freckle'. Although it has a nice sound throughout, I have found this track to be one that blends in and is forgettable for me. I never really go back to this one. The instrumentation and lyrics aren't bad, but I have heard much better from Moose Blood.
Overall, the guitar riffs, bass lines and drum lines stand out on this album which I expected from this band. The lyrics always hit me and although some tracks can blend together, the overall album is a solid release from this UK punk band.
Okay, so now that we have talked about Moose Blood's discography, let me know what you think about the band. What is your favorite songs? Do you think Moose Blood is a stand out band? What are things you've caught that I might have missed?