MOONBOUND – Uncomfortable News From The Moon (2015)
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I love when an album seemingly comes out of nowhere and completely blows me away. Such is the case for “Uncomfortable News from the Moon” by MOONBOUND, released today September 18.
Moonbound is a project headed by multi-instrumentalist Fabio Trentini who wrote everything and played various instruments, but the session musicians involved is truly impressive.
Alongside Trentini there’s top class drummer Pat Mastelotto of Mr. Mister, Stick Men, King Crimson etc, and fellow Stick Men member Markus Reuter, both also co-producing.
But we have also legendary bassist Tony Levin, Mastelotto’s co-horts from his Mr. Mister days Steve Farris, awsome LA Session guitarist Tim Pierce (he played on most classic ’80s AOR albums), and more.
The key however is Trentini whose vocals sound somewhere between Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and even Phil’s son Simon Collins. If one were to say this was the next Sound of Contact album, I don’t think many people would even know otherwise.
So expect a very melodic, light prog rock affair.
The songwriting on this album is absolutely stellar. From the intro-like, massively melodic opener “As Long as the Dream is Real,” to the commercial first single “Cheetah Conquers the Moon (Part 1)” which features excellent touch guitar from Markus Reuter, this album really sounds like a greatest hits album.
Every single song is so memorable, catchy, and yeah, very progressive at the same time.
One of the most interesting tracks is the cover of the Devo song “Beautiful World” which still sounds poppy but stylized and elegant as never before.
And that’s the other interesting thing. Trentini uses interesting percussion and programming that harkens back to the ’80s. Listen to tracks like “Guidance” or “Get Along” and you will understand what I mean.
Fans of ’80s commercial prog with some melodic rock in between will find plenty to enjoy here.
Hopefully, people will find this album and give it a good listen. Trentini has a great voice and “Uncomfortable News from the Moon” is packed with great music, start to finish.
Moonbound is modern melodic light prog / rock&pop with a beautiful sheen on it that will have you listening to it again and again.
Highly Recommended.
01. As Long As The Dream Is Real
02. Hero & Zero
03. Union
04. The Sacred Flame
05. Cheetah Conquers The Moon, Part One
06. The Real Loneliness
07. Get Along
08. Guidance
09. Beautiful World
10. Almighty Game
Pat Mastelotto (Mr. Mister): drums and percussion, co-production
Markus Reuter (Stick Men/Crimson ProjeKCt): touch guitar, co-production
Fabio Trentini: Lead and backing vocals, bass, guitars, keys, programmings
guests:
Steve Farris (Guitar)
Steve George (Piano, Saxophone)
Tim Pierce (Guitar)
Tony Levin (Bass)
Lisa Fletcher (Vocals)
Tim Motzer (Guitar)
Milan Polak (Guitar)
Simon Michael Schmitt (Drums)
Luca Casagranda (Drums)
William Dotto (Guitar)
BUY IT !
powerprog.bandcamp.com/album/uncomfortable-news-from-the-moon
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