by Brian D. Holland.

The Conch is the newest trip through space and time by the band known simply as moe. Originally formed at the University of Buffalo in 1990, the veteran jam band released a dozen or so studio and live CDs within the 13 years that followed, as well as a bunch of Instant Live recordings. Following in the steps of the Grateful Dead, Wishbone Ash, and the Allman Brothers, heavy hitters who opened the doors for today’s jammers, these amazing musicians prosper and shine both live and in the studio.

Their first studio release in four years, The Conch is 17 songs and ditties of bizarre, thoughtful, and humorous verse, as well as incredible instrumental flair. The creative arrangements of all five musicians, as well as the warm, sweet guitar tones shaped by Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey, are breathtakingly amazing throughout.

‘Blue Jeans Pizza’ opens the CD. The pleasant rhythmic intro segues nicely into an r&b lyric, reminiscing of being blown away on warm summer nights. Its appealing flow is ideal for a summer evening at New York’s moe.down fest, and is just the thing to lead into pensive extended jamming. The roller coaster excursion of creativity and six-string solo flair that follows the potent talk-box in ‘Down Boy’ is jaw dropping. The song is a voyage in itself. ‘The Pit’, because of its catchy and beguiling quality, will certainly be a crowd pleaser and genuine participation thing at all the shows and festivals this year. Everyone will be signing: ‘All the way down to the bottom; all the way down to the far; all the way down to the devil; Beelzebub in the bottom of the pit now.'

Not everyone’s part of the ‘moe.ron’ clan; however, the music of these five guys named moe is wacky, clever, and passionate. Comparable to Frank Zappa and Phish, impressive musicianship flows creatively yet frantically throughout inane lyrics and irregular arrangements. The songs on The Conch [Conch: Encarta Dictionary meaning: a tropical sea animal or snail, possessing a shell frequently used as a musical instrument] are captivating and memorable. The melodies and instrumental work, as well as each vocal performance (led by bassist/vocalist Rob Derhak), take the listener on a journey from start until finish. It’s a brilliantly conceived album.

The Conch Track Listing
1. Blue Jeans Pizza
2. Lost Along The Way
3. The Conch
4. Tailspin
5. Tubing The River Styx
6. The Pit
7. Another One Gone
8. Wind It Up
9. Y Eaux Massa
10. Down Boy
11. She
12. Where Does The Time Go?
13. Summer o i
14. The Road
15. McIntyre Range
16. The Col
17. Brittle End
18. McBain (iTunes bonus)

Label: Fatboy 2007

moe.:
Rob Derhak: bass, vocals
Al Schnier: guitar, vocals
Chuck Garvey: guitar, keyboards, vocals
Vinnie Amico: drums
Jim Loughlin: percussion

Links:
moe
The Conch on Amazon.com