Moon Duo, Escape
Moon Duo , Escape [Woodsist]
» Growing up, everyone tells you not to do drugs. Some people tell you not to do them because you could get addicted and then are on the fast track for life in a cardboard box in an alley somewhere. Some people will tell you not to do certain drugs because they have had a bad trip. I’m here to tell you simply not to listen to Moon Duo’s Escape while participating in recreational drug use, unless you like your acid washed down with a nightmare four song EP.
Moon Duo is Erik Johnson (of Wooden Shjips fame) and Sanae Yamada. Escape is their third record and first for Woodsist. Escape finds Johnson back to his old tricks: big guitar fuzz, drones, and nods to classic rock greats like The Doors and the Velvet Underground as well as a healthy dose of Krautrock influence.
Escape’s eponymous first track is easily the best. Slightly decipherable vocals and the semblance of a melody put it in great contrast to the rest of the record. The song is bright, hazy pop and has stoner pop-like meandering guitars. But even a bad trip usually starts off good.
Things get sinister with the opening riff of “In The Trees.” A big two-chord guitar riff runs the entire seven and a half minutes of the song and while the length coupled with the intentional monotony may make your eyelids heavy, Johnson’s vocals are lurking in the background, beckoning you down dark alleys. Each song has this quality.
Unfortunately, therein lies the problem with this record. It may only be four songs but the uniform structure (almost whispered vocals, two chord guitar riff, some keyboards followed by seemingly endless guitar noodling) lasts at least six minutes at a time, or in the case of “Motorcycle, I Love You”, at least eight. (That’s asking a lot of your listeners, Mr. Johnson, especially when you decide to go off on a five minute guitar solo!)
To the psychedelics-addled mind, this stuff is probably gold. It falls short when you have too much control of your own thought processes.
Posted on March 11, 2010
More on: moon duo, woodsist, wooden shjips, erik johnson
Browse all Reviews
I'm simply suggesting that it may not be a good idea because it would certainly scare the shit out of me. (See also not being a fan of bad trips)
— Pierce Lydon on March 12, 2010
there is no Problem. you need to let yourself go
— karen on March 11, 2010
Pierce, you lost me at "I’m here to tell you simply not to listen to Moon Duo’s Escape while participating in recreational drug use" What sorta McGruff-puppeteering poppycock is that?! I only listen to Moon Duo on drugs and I have a smashing time on my back, digging my nails into the carpet, wincing at the ceiling fan's oscillation hypnosis. I didn't read anything after you disapproved of drugs and Moon Duo friendships.
— Blake Rules on March 11, 2010