The Moons ‘Fables of History’ - Album Review

‘Fables of History’ is the second album by The Moons and comes during a very busy year for main man, Andy Crofts, who has been recording/playing in Paul Weller’s band and also as part of Steve Cradock’s acoustic tour.

 In fact Paul Weller plays on ‘Something Soon’ and some of the album was recorded at Weller’s Black Barn studio (with the remainder recorded at WestHeath Yard with Edwyn Collins at the controls).

 

This is an album that I really like and kicks off in fine style with the punchy, ‘Be Not Me’, (with a middle section that slips from Syd Barrett Pink Floyd to the Beach Boys Pet Sounds in a beat). This is followed by my favourite track on this album, ‘Forever Came Today’, which has echoes of The Jetset (what a great band) all over it (“Yesterday has gone but tomorrow looks alright”).

‘Revolutionary Lovers’ (again with a Beach Boys harmony in the middle eight) continues this collection of finely crafted British tunes onward to the acoustic led, ‘Jennifer (Sits Alone)’ that was previously included on the Mojo CD collection for the recent issue with The Jam cover feature. Many great albums feature a good acoustic number (The Jam’s ‘All Mod Cons’, Squire’s ‘Get Smart’, The Direct Hits’ ‘Blow-Up’ etc., etc.) and this is The Moons’. 

The pace picks up again with ‘Double Vision Love’ which has a groovy ‘fuzz’ guitar feel about it and ‘indie’ chorus, while ‘English Summer’ conjures up thoughts of Ray Davies’ creative 1966-1968 period.

‘Something Soon’, with PW guesting on it, has something about it that reminds me of Mood Six and is a cracking track. ‘It’s Taking Over’ is another beautifully recorded sonic excursion and is followed by ‘Can You See Me’ that is very reminiscent of John Lennon’s solo work.

My second favourite track on this album is next. ‘Habit Of A Lifetime’ is a superb song with a waspish guitar riff and the excellent middle section lyric, “But still the devil tries to hold you back, And sends you off to work briefcase and hat, I’d rather stand outside under a bus stop, With a bottle in my hand, a bottle in my hand”.

There’s just time for ‘Lights Out’ before the album’s finale of ‘The First Goodbye’ with it beginning in a similar vibe to the recent Dexy’s album, ‘One Day I’m Going To Soar’.

Overall, this album combines much of the best bits of the last 50-55 years of music and weaves it into wonderfully written and recorded songs, bursting with catchy melodies, spot-on harmonies and great musicianship that deliver the results back in a contemporary fashion. One of the best releases of 2012.