Liam Moore - Visions of a Perfect Life

​Liam Moore

Visions of a Perfect Life
​self-released; 2020

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Visions of a Perfect Life is the sophomore album from Liam Moore. His debut was way back in 2010 when the world was a very different place. Who am I kidding? The world was a very different place back in 2019.

This was a hard album to pinpoint which I thoroughly enjoy. There were some moments which sounded like Americana and other moments that reminded me of a more avant garde Donovan. I thought the songs were unique and there were a lot of unexpected but welcome surprises.

Up first is “Cosmic Noon” which is a good example of a song that goes in a number of places. It starts off ambient with a lot of surrounding synths. The vocals are the center and somehow out of nowhere a rock band comes through the fog. It’s a bit in the spirit of The Beatles and it felt like a natural progression of the song. I loved the lyrics as well. It’s sort of deep but there is a levity in his vocals which make it work.

“Horseshoe” is a little more straightforward and felt somewhere in the vicinity of Americana  alt/country in the spirit of Wilco. His voice is comforting here and the general feeling is warm. I mentioned Donovan and on “Finis” is where that artist came to mind except the arrangement was a little more full and not as folk based. “Lift” felt like a highlight. I loved how the horns worked against the acoustic guitar. The arrangement felt very original yet accessible.

“Cottonwood” is one of the more straightforward songs but very well delivered and emotionally resonant. The slightly jazzy and loose “The Slouch” was a good song and another flavor while “Imbalances” is so smooth, warm, intimate and contains this playful sort of melancholy,

“Apologia” was under two minutes but no filler. There is some great string work and the vocals are also fantastic. “Early to Bed, Early to Rise” is an exceptional song which contains elements of bluegrass and country. The closer “(You Don't Have To) Grow Up” felt like a production. There is a swinging horn section and it made for for an excellent send off.

​I loved this album. There is a lot to explore and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect next. The thing that made the album work was that he songs still felt connected through colors, tones and textures which made it feel cohesive. Highly recommended.

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