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The latest Moffatts album was not released in the UK. Is it worth ordering an import? |
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Canadian based band, apparently now defunct. Verdict on the album? A definite buy. It strikes you on first hearing and demands a replay, some tracks at once in fact which is what I did. Scott has a definite feel vocally of Raine Maida of another Canadian Band OLP (Our Lady Peace) which is not a bad thing. I have yet to get hold of OLP's recent (Mid 2001) album.
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Sadly the Moffatts own site has been closed apparently! (see below) |
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The Album was not released here in the UK, perhaps because the singles "Crazy" and "" had not sold exceptionally well. There was a substantial German Moffatt following though. |
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Submodalities Tracklist below.
Produced by Bob Rock and |
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The album dates from 2000. |
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The review below is the initial draft. I plan to edit further. |
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There are a number of sites still running, and even an EzBoard on Submodalities itself. "Pusch" is a spinoff band. |
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Atmospherics start, leading to acoustic guitar, then full band Shades of OLP in the vocal lead, Multi harmonic chorus, a solo guitar alternates with vocals, the chorus is very singable "place my bets on all the Jacks and Queens" |
Bursts in, But the lead vocal is over drums only at first. Guitar is more subdued at times, but a considerable pedal effect solo appears too midway (Matt Bellamy style). The title lyric is strongly harmonised too, as is quite a lot of the other lyric. Final Chord fades. |
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This was a single, simple start, but an infectious chorus yet again! Quasi "rap" at times, I guess, but not a straightforward track. Some unexpected, quite heavy twists to it, including "scratch" type effects too! |
Bongoes and similar here, with phased effects, including keyboards. (shades of Beatles here perhaps?) The chorus is more standard. Repeat of the initial style follows, then the chorus section, which extends to the close, with fading chords and piano fragments |
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Bursts in on the listener, Heavy style, with "angry" sounding vocals and much guitar effects. A very strange deep vocal under line appears, "Baby one more night" . A strong guitar solo (a bit low in the mix), the deep vocal, a sudden pause then "one more night" resumes, |
Simple acoustic guitars here, with some other effects lower in the mix, panning through the soundscape, which adds a good deal as the song develops, with an "orchestral" sound at times, as strings augment the band. A repeat in a higher key brings a gentle closing cadence. |
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A relaxed guitar / string sound starts, with a quivering vocal initially, Very melodic here, slower tempo, with much of the vocal harmony evident again. |
Phased guitar here, begins, then a rhythmic backing is set in motion, as the lyrics begin. "Call the Doctor, She's in my head, My heartbeat's dead". Another Guitar break here, the longest on the album I think? |
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Panned (keyboardy)? effects, a strong drum etc pattern. Scott again has an angry sorta feel to the vocal line. Real emphasis on the word "Typical". "If I'm such a loser why are you hanging round me" appears several times here. Another of those pauses! Repeats the section. The track closes on an emphatic "Typical!" |
Atmospherics again, strings acoustic guitar etc. Scott is now much more relaxed vocally, Lower register here, initially, but climbing the octaves as "Spy" is mentioned. The pattern is repeated, with light instrumental passage followed by the chorus. There is then a TOTAL instrumental break, with voice as an instrumental line too. Staccato chords stop the music dead, and wordless vocals continue, until "and it's me... I am spying etc.. reveals an angst ridden section, which later speeds up and well just stops! It runs outta steam I guess! |
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Drums, Bass and Solo guitar break in at 11.52, and bass strings effects too, The vocal is lower register and strongly done, "Desperate and scared..... ", "I seach for a light ... This road that I travel is not up to me .... Did I make the choice, or was it destiny"?19.32 Full band breaks in "Do I hesitate?"20.55 ends. |
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Slower start, vocal over lighter accompaniment, with delicate guitar touches. "Antifreeze and Aeroplanes" brings a bigger sound, for a time, then there is a lot of multi instrument work in the background, even Strings and echo are used, very effectively, building to a reprise of the A and A lyric again. Fades to close. |
22.07 Phased effects, maraccas and bongoes begin, Is it a sitar too? A strong beat builds up gradually, and vocals are added, en masse, multitracked, gradually fading again. END.
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Review compiled very late 2001 Timing on tracks 12 -14 is combined. P.K.Murphy.
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This page created 10th. Nov 2001 Updated January19th. 2002. |
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Shock Horror? |
Muscly Moffatts? |
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No idea when this pic was taken, or if there has been a bit of photo editing here and there! It would have been a total change of image! |
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Yeah well maybe, but can they write, play and sing too? |
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Hmm Muscly Moffats? Not too sure they would like that! (Unless bashing H****N perhaps?) |
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"Muscle" Moffatts added December 29th. 2001 |
