MOONLIGHT DESIRES – Just The Hits- 1981-1985

80s suckers charge the batteries and put your walkman / discman earbuds on… MOONLIGHT DESIRES are here with their album “Just The Hits- 1981-1985“, and take for sure it will put a big smile on your face.
This kind of album needed to be released today. Like literally, whatever day you read this … ‘that day’. If you are paying even the slightest bit of attention to the world today, everything kind of sucks.
You know what doesn’t suck? MOONLIGHT DESIRES covering some of the biggest hits of the ’80s and not just covering them, but infusing them with some steroid, testosterone-driven melodic rock riffs, solos, vocals, punchy drums and, oh yeah… fun.

Hailing from Canada the band features past / present members from bands like Chore, Threat Signal, The Inflation Kills and Davids, while frontman / guitarist Trevor Ziebarth (aka Ricky Butcher from the cartoon Sons Of Butcher) sings with surprising versatility yet never, ever forgets that edgy, rockin’ approach.
Named after the, as well, Canadian musician GOWAN song ‘Moonlight Desires’ from 1987, this five piece delivers their unique vision of ’80s culture, adding a rocking edge to that classic poppy songs.
Think 7th HEAVEN doing this type of covers, yet much more biting.

And MOONLIGHT DESIRES starts this “Just The Hits- 1981-1985” precisely with a GOWAN song, “A Criminal Mind”, and if you remember the dramatic video from the hit, it makes this song even funnier. The original is so damn earnest, and MOONLIGHT DESIRES strips away all the pageantry and proves that a good song is a good song, no matter how you dress it up. Yes, the original is awesome, but the cover is dirtier in a “pick up this half-smoked alley cigarette and light it up” way.

Knowing Canada is part of the equation, you kind of had to guess that “Sunglasses At Night” was going to be part of this hit parade, and it should be. COREY HART’s original version is timeless, but bringing it into the now with sharper riffs, a lot more brightness and less brooding makes things as cool as buying a vintage car your grandfather lost his virginity in.

It’s hard to pick a “best” on a covers album, but if it’s not the Corey Hart cover, then it’s DURAN DURAN’s “Hungry Like The Wolf.” Since you already know the words (if you are a human person), this is one of those songs (and albums) you can just hit “play” and just start rockin’ out to. This get uber-heavy on this track where a guitar solo would be, and the breakdown kills.
It’s almost ridiculous how much sense all of these covers make. SIMPLY RED’s “I’ll Keep Holding On” holds up when turned to 11, and the vocals are the best on the album.

The STEVE WINWOOD’s classic pop song “Valerie” gets turned into a bit of a BRYAN ADAMS “Summer of ’69” style anthem and… guess what? It Rocks!
They made a rocking version for “Something About You,” the LEVEL 42 hit. Again, Trevor can SING. He’s got an oddly effortless melodic performance but he’s not trying, it’s just intrinsic in his vocal delivery. Yeah, it gets a bit yell-y here, but there’s notes, and he hits them.
Another noteworthy cover is that of the FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD’s ‘The Power Of Love’ which, after years of being the “go to” Christmas song or used for TV-ads, here comes full circle with a groovy delivery and really hits home the message of the song!

Taking classic ’80s hits and covering / updating them sonically with a rocking edge is always a risk, but let me tell you that MOONLIGHT DESIRES nails it. They are party anthems, it’s all one big rock n’ roll show, and if there’s anything better than that, it should be listening to MOONLIGHT DESIRES too.
“Just The Hits- 1981-1985” is a great album with more than a ‘cover approach’: the band add their own rocking vision to these classics. Songs with a bit of thought put into them and a lot of fun to record I am sure, as they are great fun to listen to and crank up loud.

’80s fans, this is for you. MOONLIGHT DESIRES bring back the Eighties musical fun / culture – darn, the album is also released on Cassette CrO2 – remember those?
Party on! HIGHLY Recommended

01 – A Criminal Mind
02 – Sunglases at Night
03 – Out of Touch
04 – Hungry Like the Wolf
05 – Young Turks
06 – Bette Davis Eyes
07 – Holding Back the Years
08 – Valerie
09 – Promises Promises
10 – Something About You
11 – The Power of Love

Trevor Ziebarth – Vocals, Guitar
Jay Ziebarth – Bass, Vocals
Marco Bressette – Lead Guitar
Nicholas K. Daleo – Lead Guitar
Scott Brady – Drums

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