4 am is an interesting time in Buffalo, New York. Whereas most cities, many larger than Buffalo have long since closed for the evening, in Buffalo, the night for many is still in full swing.
In a city that enjoys it’s parties in establishments until the said time, and then are able to continue the party with chicken wings or a Texas red-hot at one of the many Greek establishments in the area, 4 am holds a different significance.
How does Dotsun Moon's 4am Sound?
Taking the late time to heart from their home base, Dotsun Moon’s debut album invites the listener to that dreamy time for some, just the momentary pause for others. Their sound, not quite distinguishable to a specific set of rules, tempo, or even genre is a worthy initial effort.
The music is not overly layered or produced which is perhaps one of 4am’s best qualities, with a multitude of straight-forward offerings that vary with influences from post-punk to dreamy shoegaze ("There Are Stars") to Curve like offerings ("Heed The Warning").
Although the sonic layering, resonance, and depth of the Toni Halliday led band is absent here, the album is clean and lacks pretension making it hard not to appreciate the value of a simplistic yet enjoyable through line in many of the offerings.
There is something for everyone here, with "And I Rest" and "Savages" well suited to an iPod driving mix, or the aforementioned "There Are Stars" or "Heed The Warning" at a late night (4am?) party, playing softly on a stereo with clinking glasses and idle chatter in the foreground.
Indeed, several of the album’s slower paced offerings invite the listener to sway his or her head from side to side, eyes closed, taking in the soft sounds. "Who Do You Love" stands apart as an interesting experiment that is a welcome shift in tempo, much like a good cover of a well loved classic and the instrumental "Pedals" has a warm hearted tone.
Where To Go From Here?
While 4am showcases the potential of Dotsun Moon, the group will hopefully decide on a more concise path for their next offering. The availability of the group is on display, yet a slightly more concentrated view would certainly help their cause.
On evidence here, that could take a multitude of paths in either direction of a metronome, though Mary O’s voice penetrates best in her more soulful, thoughtful moments, or scorned as they are in "And I Rest", which is probably the best of the lot.
Long serving bands such as Depeche Mode or KMFDM while stylistically changing throughout the years are at their best on albums that have a clear through line (Ultra for Depeche Mode or Nihil for KMFDM come to mind).
Dotsun Moon are Mary O for vocals, Rich Flierl on keys, programming, guitar, and vocals, Brian Templeton on bass and Rami Abu-Sitta- contributes synth, guitar, and programming.
Aaron Krygier - Actor,writer,musician,producer from Buffalo, NY. Predominately a stage/screen writer, but interests in all aspects of the craft including ...
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