The Smalrus Web Site

moe.
The Conch
[Fatboy; 2007]
Rating: 8/10

i recently got the new studio release from moe.: the conch

it’s a rather interesting release, using bits and pieces from both studio works and two nights of live shows from portland, me. that makes me a little perplexed. apparently they tried the technique on their last studio release, 2003′s wormwood, however they really didn’t capture everything the way they wanted to until this release.

im not perplexed in a negative way, on the contrary, im really curious as to how they integrated live elements and studio elements into a single recording. i grasp the concept of wanting to capture the raw energy and power of a live recording, and for a long time, bands have always wanted to showcase this interesting dynamic to their audiences. at the same time, there is a polished, familiarity that exists in the studio recording as we know it. we defer to a series of sounds that are now replicable in the modern live performance, sounds that were apparently only illiciting a creative environment in the studio.

and yet, the live show has always forced bands to be more creative and for moe.’s genre of music, the art of improvisation is showcased heavily, serving to stoke the fire of creative genius. to meld the two atmospheres into one recording is truly a feat that should be followed by more bands in the future. i shutter to think of what some of these pre-fabricated bands these days would truly come up with if forced to produce on the basis of the live show.