I remember as a kid, wishing that The Who's Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy comp had 5 albums in it rather than 1. Of course, I didn't realise then that if a band put out an album every 2 weeks, maybe I wouldn't want to hear all these songs, that they would in all likelihood not get a passing grade in quality. Unless of course, Robert Pollard happens to be involved. I'm surprised that he hasn't made a Christmas album yet. I figured the odds would be good that he would have put one out accidentally, maybe just as a consequence of basic probability theory, (you know, the old monkeys on typewriters thing). Anyway, when your favorite bands implode or move on to other musical ventures, it's always good to find a great band to pick up the slack. And Moving Targets never disappoint.
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| Always Calling, Always Calling... |
So, Mission of Burma only put out one album in its first incarnation. Husker Du rocked our worlds for a few years and imploded. The Clash were the only band that mattered for a while, but then they went on permanent hiatus. The Minutemen shone as bright as a supernova, until tragedy struck. So the fact that Moving Targets also walked the earth and put out a number of fantastic albums is good news for fans of these aforementioned bands. I know that putting the band in this position is doing them a bit of a disservice, because the comparison is really a starting off point. This two-fer Cd of Moving Targets second and first albums Brave Noise/Burning in Water are essential, essential listening. On the Taang! Records label. Kenny Chambers is a monstrous guitarist, pounding out inventive molten hooks and riffs over the blazing rhythm section of Chuck Freeman (bass), and Pat Brady (drums). The drums are impressive, brawny, a lot of the time seemingly on the verge of destruction. Yet within all the chaos, the music is actually pretty tuneful.
There is a certain loud and fast nature to the music, but the music is so complicated and unsamey, that you can't really call it hardcore. But definitely informed by the scene. Some hardcore I like, but I think that a lot of it sounds the same, and it is music with a purpose, in the same way that disco is for people to dance to. The best hardcore is fantastic and inventive, but the good bands in every type of music tend to inspire lesser imitators.
Never saw these guys play, but I sure wish I had. They must have been unbelievable on stage. You be the judge.
27 songs here folks, and not a lot of filler. Nothing Changes is a superb song from Brave Noise, sounding a lot like one of Grant Hart's better tunes. The drums really power this song to another level. It's insane that the next three songs are just as excellent. Separate Hearts has to be one of the most high energy love songs you might ever hear. At least I think it's a love song. Burning in Water, their first, is also loaded with quality. The powerful opener, The Other Side completely rips. Always Calling, with its buzzsaw singalong pop is another great 80's moment. The hard hitting Urban Dub is another favorite with its pastoral beginning descending into a blur of Ruts/MOB glory. Underground features Pat Leonard, the original bassist of the band, and performs on Burning in Water. A song with a real anthemic quality to it. Less Than Gravity is another great one, amidst an abundance of great music.
This collection is simply fantastic. Probably some of the best music of the 80's, and too few people know about it. I've had this record for a while, and I've been listening to it in my free time for the last three days, and every listen I hear new things, and get a deeper appreciation of what these guys were all about. Dedication, heart, and no small amount of talent. And the contributions of the entire band are what makes this record stand above so many other bands of the era. If you can get a hold of this, pick it up immediately. You will not be disappointed.
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