Moose - High Ball Me (CD) - CD

Details: Somebody give the Lord a handclap. After a lengthy sabattical spent contemplating Jesus, the never-less-than-mighty Moose return with their 4th and most perfectly-formed album (and their first North American release since their brush with Virgin Records and their tour of the USA with the Cocteau Twins). "High Ball Me" is an as-near-as-dammit realisation of the perrenial Moose fixations of classic 60s / 70s pop, heart shredding country & western, stellar songwriting (of the Nillson / Hazelwood school), and borderline-melodic guitar mangling. The amalgam of these influences is one of the best and most diverse pop albums of the century so far, and the greatest record the House of Love never managed to make despite always threatening to. With the emphasis always and firmly on tune and harmony, the 11 tracks rush forth in a swell of sweeping strings, shimmering guitars, rousing organs, rattling bongos, Joe Meek-esque antique effects, and too many other beautiful ideas to take in at once. Did i mention the Pale Fountains?" (review by Penny Black)