Many things can be confusing. Like this band – Joe Moorhead. Is Joe Moorhead the name of the band or the name of a person in a band? Does the term “acoustic” as used on the official Facebook page adequately describe the genre showcased? Why am I writing about a band with this sound (that I will tell you about in a second) in the middle of December, a scant 3 days before the Winter Solstice?
If you haven’t surmised by the last portion of my confusion diatribe, Joe Moorhead is a band with a decidedly warm, tropical feel. While the album might feel a tad out of place in the winter most of the time, Tides Are Rising I find to be a welcome reprieve from this winter I loathe more and more with the passing years. The specialty of Joe Moorhead is the record’s strength and downfall. The tunes all have the same feel, but Joe Moorhead owns this feeling in every sense of the word. Jack Johnson is the closest musical relative of this record but in more of a mentoring way than a blood family member.
He (they?) have the potential for a lot of growth, but the melodies are strong and downright pleasurable to listen to. “What Good Can Come” is a classic love song, driven by piano yet not reeking of cheese like some might fear. A reassuring trumpet melody forms the hook for album closer “Two AM” while opener “Bad Day” is a bit of a paradox, in that Moorhead commiserates in a decidedly matter of fact, optimistic sounding way.
Let Joe Moorhead warm you up in this winter time. Buy it now, but delve into it in the dead of winter when the Christmas lights have faded. And if you read this far down the line – well, the album is worth a listen anyway.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECfOUWuoV8&h=297&w=450]
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