"The next step in the evolution of progressive rock music". Such is the self-styled boast that opens Voodoo Monkey Child's promotional blurb. They go further: on the inside of the colourful and excellent CD packaging they state that "we would rather take the greater risk of trying something new and different than to achieve success via imitation". These are bold statements and, whilst the band don't exactly do full justice to either in the course of Under a Crescent Moon, they certainly produce some excellent music and so we should forgive them a little bragging.
Chicago's Voodoo Monkey Child formed originally as a trio: R. Scott Allen (keyboards), Scott Hume (drums) and Michael Ferguson (guitars). The guys released A Taste of Afterlife before being joined by bassist Tim Rogers and Czech vocalist Janey Age (real name Jana Gurdesova). Janey adds some real spice to these proceedings with her fine vocal performance which is reminiscent of some classic female rock performers: Grace Slick, Annie Haslam and Sonja Kristina are the first that come to my mind. And that's the rub – the music is also reminiscent of these singers' bands; a sort of amalgam of Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Renaissance and Curved Air. Of course, this is no bad thing! Only slightly odd when you're making claims about "new" and "the evolution" of progressive rock music. But perhaps they're right – perhaps the evolution is in a retro direction. The album even starts with the crackling sounds of a vinyl record being put on to play and the production is slightly woolly at times.
Leaving aside these esoteric arguments, it is worth stating that this is a very good album of melodic progressive rock. The guitar and keyboards work is particularly pleasing and Janey's vocal is easy to listen to. Compared with Britain and Europe there aren't proportionately anything like enough American bands taking the chance and playing this sort of female-led progressive rock/AOR crossover – this is a real hole in the market for a brave band like Voodoo Monkey Child to fill. Janey has the looks – not just the musical talent – for her lead to be a real selling point for the band, like many British and European bands. Let's reel a few off, shall we: Mostly Autumn, Breathing Space, Magenta, Panic Room, The Gathering, Agua de Annique, Mermaid Kiss. Enjoy it, boys!
The album kicks off brilliantly: the first four tracks are outstanding and – had the same quality been maintained we'd be looking at a five-star album. "Reigning Fire" lives up to its name, with some gutsy guitar work taking over from a pretty piano intro and Janey's vocal, together with the soundscape, immediately bringing to mind that Jefferson Airplane/Starship memory. "Away" has good mix of piano and guitar again, with just a slight nod to Renaissance and "In the Bed" is extremely catchy – great song! "My Love" features some wonderful overdubbed dueting and harmonic vocals from Janey herself, it features a great melody and some stunning keyboards work. These four make for a terrific opening and, frankly, are worth the price of the CD alone. They are also featured, in a slightly different running order, sung in Czech on the second disc, which is a bit of a novelty, but I suspect you'll only ever play that once.
The quality then waned slightly. It's still very good: certainly if I'd never heard the first four tracks I'd still be saying that this is a very good album; it's just that there is a drop of musical momentum. There is an exception: the final track "Closer to Home" returns to the excellence of the start. The middle part of the album has a slightly different feel: the piano/keyboards and musical textures are more reminiscent of – keeping up the comparisons – Renaissance's more folk-rock moments than of the Jefferson bands. Jefferson then return for "Closer to Home". Because of this subtle but distinct shift in musical flavour it is possible that some listeners will prefer the "We Can Do It" to "Dollhouse" section.
Whichever one prefers, it is certain that fans of this type of classic progressive rock sound with its roots in the 1970s will find plenty to enjoy on Under a Crescent Moon.
I look forward to hearing more from this band. Catch them if you can: if they're as good live as on disc, you're in for a treat!
Track Listing (Disc 1):-
1) Reigning Fire (4:20)
2) Away (5:27)
3) In the Bed (4:40)
4) My Love (6:45)
5) We Can Do It (7:03)
6) Seek (6:44)
7) Dama Dama (8:44)
8) Dollhouse (6:07)
9) Closer to Home (7:49)
Track Listing (Disc 2):-
1) Včerejší noc (In the Bed) (4:39)
2) Čas (Reigning Fire) (4:23)
3) Tvá náruč sílu má (My Love) (6:45)
4) V Oblacích (Away) (5:28)
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