Tumblr can be quite a strange place at times, but for the most part it’s a brilliant platform that has helped me discover and keep up with some of my absolute favourite bands. Sometime in mid 2013, a gif popped up on my dashboard of some vocalist, who at the time was very unfamiliar to me, strumming on a guitar. Now usually, I would just scroll past something like that but the lyrics plastered on it caught my eye: “Bored with nothing to do, but lay around listening to Deja Entendu.” With a Brand New reference thrown in there, I had to click on the link under the post, which led to this fantastic acoustic session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvhVkzke43c
That’s how I first heard of Moose Blood. For whatever reason, what was quite a simple performance really made an impact. That is one of the greatest things about music; when you hear a band for the first time and it instantly leaves an effect. After watching this video, I went on the band’s Bandcamp and literally purchased the entire discography without even listening to any of it first. Luckily, they did not disappoint.
The two EPs and one split Moose Blood had to offer at the time were so good that their debut full-length was my most anticipated release of 2014, and coincidentally also ended up as my favourite of the year. With the release of their album, the Canterbury four-piece gained a lot of recognition and they’ve quickly become a household name.
While at the end of the day, music always comes down to taste; there’s a reason why their album I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time resonated with so many people. It didn’t seem like the band tried too hard to make the album sound one way or another – it was very organic. The album opens up with a reflective ballad ‘Cherry’, a track that doesn’t sound like anything the band had done before and it is unlike the upbeat opening tracks you hear about that catch your attention from the get-go. However, it pulls you in in a different way; one that leaves you feeling wistful and possibly, with goosebumps.
Moose Blood, though easily classified as emo, don’t strain hard to fit into the pre-assigned box and that’s why what they have to offer is so special. Yes, there’s some emo in there; but then there are instance of post-rock, or melodies classic to pop-punk – you get the point. It’s like a joyride that takes you through experiences you could easily be going through as anyone within the age bracket of 15-25. Like life, there are ups and downs but Moose Blood simply offer to provide a fitting soundtrack. If you’re into some name dropping, some of the older material offer references to the likes of American Football, Nirvana, Death Cab For Cutie, Morissey and of course, Brand New. That always makes things a little more relatable if you happen to like those bands too.
Moose Blood are currently in California to record their sophomore album with Saosin‘s Beau Burchell (who also worked on their debut), so you will most likely be hearing a lot more from this band next year. With the way they are continuously climbing up the ranks, they’re bound to stick around for many years to come. There’s still time to hop aboard the bandwagon before they release the new album and embark on a new touring cycle.
