The Brag

Moonface
Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped
Jagjaguwar
****

You may remember Spencer Krug from his involvement with Wolf Parade, the Canadian indie group who seem to spawn side projects faster than the different strains of the influenza virus. Well, add another one to the list; Moonface is Krug’s solo project, which he concocts in his Montreal home between all the other things he manages to find time to do.

After releasing a 20 minute EP using just marimba last year, his debut follow up long player – Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped – is built using music and effects generated from a double-manual organ, used in harmony with Krug’s Bowie-like vocals. And with only that he’s managed to concoct something of value that demonstrates enviable songwriting skills; Organ Music… uses layers upon layers of organ and straightforward drum patterns to build a series of somewhat eccentric yet personal musical narratives.

As record opener ‘Return To The Violence Of The Ocean Floor’ builds towards its seven-minute climax, with Krug’s fingers rapidly spilling over the keys, you still don’t feel that the songs are drawn out, but rather highly deliberate and well-crafted. Contrasting moods are evident, with a sense of urgency underpinning the likes of ‘Whale Song’ – it feeling akin to some sort of unfolding future space emergency. Record highlight ‘Fast Peter’ starts out with a drum and bass-like beat, but develops into a melodic pop song that celebrates the fine boundary between love and foolishness.

There is much to praise here, and one thing is clear; if Krug continues to put out solo records as strong as this one, there will be little outrage amongst those impatiently waiting new Wolf Parade material.

Darragh Murray