LP5 | JOHN MORELAND

2/12/20 Those of you out there that are moved by Tom Waits hearth-wrenching ballads, like “Hold On” on Mule Variations, will probably really dig this record. John’s voice is certainly reminiscent of the Waits gruff vox. I loved Moreland’s 2017s effort Big Bad Luv which I have listed below. LP5 is more striped down than Big Bad with less of the accompanied band thing. Instead we have a subtle electronics sounds and beats as well as hand percussion.

Mark Moody @ Under The Radar writes: Partnering with producer Matt Pence (Midlake, Jason Isbell), Moreland maintains his masterful lyrical command while allowing for a blurring of normally crisp lines. The opening "Harder Dreams" starts with Moreland's warmly cavernous vocals and acoustic guitar, but a minute in gives way to skittery synths and a woodblock drum machine beat. The effects add a dose of anticipation to a song that adroitly tackles international discord and relates it to the personal. Fortunately, "Harder Dreams" is not a one-off experiment and Moreland continues to weave heady. . .