Winter Moon - lucid dreaming

Winter Moon

Lucid Dreaming
self-released; 2014

3.9 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

I started the first track of Lucid Dreaming and couldn’t quite tell if Winter Moon was some soft and spacey project or just teasing me with a slow tone of crescendo. I’m very glad it was the latter. Upon the downbeat, my head hit the groove button and didn’t release. That’s a hell of way to kick off the album. 

To artists everywhere, follow this formula – maybe it’s not your best track, but make sure that opener leaves a mark. With that said, Lucid Dreaming sets the tone with “Me And The Devil” making a solid impression with ease. The question is – what else are these guys about? Where do we go from here? I’m content expecting similar material but am braced for stylistic deviation. I just hope it holds firm to the throbbing rock pocket that captivated my ears just earlier. 

I’ll take you with me as this experience unfolds. But I’m not quite done with the track at hand. The drums are the driving force no doubt. That powerful kick stomps the backbeat pulse into a churning froth of steamy funk and dirty rock. The guitars shape shift between bluesy growl, funk wah and straight up glorified distortion. The sound they create marries excellently with the song’s intent, delivering the first person accounts of a vice stricken soul hell bent on satisfaction but liberation all at the same time.

Moving ahead, my first thought on “The Sun Is Gonna Come” was that it could make for a great mash up with Blue Oyster Cult’s “Burnin’ For You.” The progression follows it closely enough, but this song stands by itself all things considered. It was at the chorus that I found complete appreciation for this female fronted powerhouse. Milly Moon’s vocals are heavy and still full of range. The lower register works so well especially on “Holy Mother” with its swampy groove and punctuating guitar. 

“Black Heart” is dressed up like a slow song but it feels like a time bomb that should explode somewhere near the end. Instead, things kick off a little earlier with a blended swell of noise to polish off a choral reprise. It goes without saying that this is a long-winded track, but let it run because you’ll get a lovely flute interlude that complements everything like only Jethro Tull could. For a hard hitting and fun ride, look no further than Lucid Dreaming. It captures Winter Moon in their element soaring atop some solid and sweet fuzz.

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