Blue Moon Revue

Blue Moon Revue plays the sort of music that would make you smile. The kind you listen to when you want to quell your rage after an argument. The music you would want to hear Friday afternoon after getting out of your last class. Self-recorded and produced, the band's first release, 1108 Sessions, is just that sort of CD.\nIt isn't remarkable. It isn't earth-shattering. But 1108 Sessions is good music with a groove and a warmth. A local band that can be seen at various Bloomington venues, Blue Moon Revue flows from one funk/jazz/soul-based melody to another through seven tracks.\nStarting with a quick scat sound, "Butterfly" leads this energetic fluid attack on the ears. With various crescendos and decrescendos, tracks two through seven follow precedent with a summary sound.\nTwo guitarists, a bassist, drummer, percussionist and keyboardist come together for this album, combining talent with a mellow smirk toward the new wave of pop, rap and heavy music of the day. \nOne of this album's strengths is the smooth, lilting quality of the vocals and guitars. With varying degrees of funk/jazz/soul style coolness, the band gets its message and music across in a subtle way. \nVocalist Matthew Marshall's raspy lyrics depict the stories of life with a positive and reflective outlook, which is uplifting to hear after dealing with the shallowness and negativity hitting the airwaves during 2000.\nWith a head nodding sound, the guitarists pull at the strings with rhythm that bounces off the percussion while the keyboardist adds a little harmony underneath. In "Moth" and "Throw Away the Time," the guitars come out of their amplified shell with a rolling acoustic sound. Throughout the album the musicians trade a few solos with grace from a blues-derived guitar lick to a percussive hand beat.\nAll in all this is a worthy possession. On the days when you can't find something right with the world, press play. Blue Moon Revue has achieved a simple wonder: an album with quality. \nBlue Moon Revue is heading to the studio this month. Look for a new album this spring.