Review: Moonlight Towers “Day Is The New Night”

Power pop/rock
“Day Is The New Night” is the third album by Moonlight Towers, a band from Austin that takes its name from the city’s tall vintage streetlights. The guys in Moonlight Towers cherish the three minute pop rock song and hope this third release is the charm. In their own words, they enjoy “writing, recording and playing real rock’n’roll with a hearty pop kick, and being a genuine band. It’s really that simple.”

Their latest effort comes off the heels of “Like You Were Never There”, which was produced by Mike Napolitano (Joseph Arthur, Neville Brothers, Ani DiFranco, Twilight Singers). Thanks to extensive touring and warm reviews, the CD sold thousands of copies and inspired the band to get back in the studio to write more infectious melodies.

The enthusiasm on this new record is palpable. As the band slips into the horn-infused opener, “Heat Lightning”, thoughts of Collective Soul covering Tom Petty come to mind. “Can’t Shake This Feeling” marches into your ears with eager pomp and circumstance, with the snappy lead guitar riff leading the charge. “The Easy Way Out”, with its breezy and laid back vibe, makes for a perfect tune to play while sitting in the sun on the beach. Additional highlights include “What Else Can I Say”, which possesses relatable lyrics and a driving mid-tempo beat. “Baby Don’t Slow Me Down” is a terrific rocker with a funky rhythm guitar line and instantly likeable chorus. I also enjoyed the E Street Band feel of “Not A Kid Anymore”. If you are in the mood for something mellow, there are a couple ballads worthy of mention. “Distant Wheels” would fit comfortably on an Oasis record, and “Comes A Time” is an acoustic driven piece augmented with radiant strings.

The nine tracks come at you fast – the band only takes 30 minutes to tear through the set. The songs are short and sweet, but so tuneful that they don’t need a long time to make a lasting impression. Moonlight Towers will appeal to fans of Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick, and Collective Soul. Rock and Roll doesn’t get any more straight-up than this.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8

Moonlight Towers – Official site.

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WOXY.com presents: Moonlight Towers from WOXY on Vimeo.