Search - Ian Moore :: To Be Loved (Dig)

Credit where credit's due...

M. Sterling | New York, NY | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Critics love nothing more than to laud a musician for taking artistic risks and forgoing familiar territory in search of new terrain. As such, I'm baffled by the fact that Ian Moore continues to fly so far under the radar. "To Be Loved" is another giant leap from Moore's former blues rock persona, so much so that the one-time guitar hero doesn't even offer a single solo on this disc, instead focusing his immense talents on a terrific collection of (mostly) upbeat pop songs. Those lamenting The New Pornographer's "mellowing" would be well-advised to give "To Be Loved" a spin. It may just put a smile on your face.



I started listening to Ian Moore in high school, when his first release came with a national platform and countless media promises of "the next Stevie Ray Vaughan." Those early records are still a lot of fun, though they mostly remind me of being 16 and in love with the idea of long hair and ripping guitar leads. As I got older, I was surprised to find that Ian Moore's ouput covered an increasingly broad range of styles and was often in sync with my own changing tastes. In college, I was especially drawn to the minimalist roots music of "Green Grass," and "Luminaria" emerged at a time when I was listening to a lot of dreamy, deliberately paced pop. While other relics of my youth long ago relegated themselves to nostalgia status, Ian Moore continues to change and experiment, defying me to lose interest. At this point, the guy has earned lifer status from me.



Hopefully, alternative pop fans will ignore the "blues/classic rock" label that has dogged Ian for years and embrace "To Be Loved," which is a truly gorgeous collection of smart, evocative pop/rock songs."

A true artist at the top of his game

L. Haines | Chicago | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's an odd thing to say, "Man, this record is so good, I don't know why it isn't played on the radio all of the time" considering Ian Moore himself has said that his career in not built on an audience who came to hear the song on the radio and nothing else.



If you think about it, it's better that corporate America doesn't have a hold of this album. They would be pressing for a makeover and picking songs that they think are the best. No, it's much much better that Ian has complete control of his music, because it allows him to make a beautiful album like To Be Loved.



One reason it's great not to be led by radio is it makes you listen to the album from beginning to end. And this album is very easy to listen to end to end and then start all over again. The track selection and order are sublime on this record.



I think if I were to put this album in an Ian Moore category, it would be a cross between Green Grass and Luminaria. It has the surprises and harmonies of Green Grass (as well as that nice guitar edge) and it has the lushness and storytelling of Luminaria. In fact, there's a nice dab of And All The Colors in there too.



But there is something new on this record, which is a true Ian Moore staple. This record has a strong pop sensibility, and I mean that in a very good way. On this record, his ideas are compact and beautiful. The time he spent crafting each word and phrase is highly evident. Many people could think that a three minute song with a nice hook is just that. But listen to Literary Kind or Colvo's Passage and you'll see how prosity and power are packed into each second.



So it is without reservation that I recommend this record. If you have never heard an Ian Moore record, I suggest you pick this one up first. It will give you a nice launching pad to discover a true artist, an artist who listens only to his own creative impulses, allowing him to create perfect songs like the ones on To Be Loved.



Oh, damn. I can't help myself. It is a crime that 30 Days, the best song on the album (and they are ALL 5 star songs) isn't being played on every radio station in the world! But I'll just have to settle for listening to it on my Ipod until the end of time.



I hope I have sparked your interest enough to give it a try.

"

Loving To Be Loved

Casey R. Carter | College Station, TX | 08/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's groovy, it's fabulous, it's literally To Be Loved! Ian's newest album is a breath of fresh air. Staying true to himself, his music reflects a unique style like no other. With tracks such as 30 Days & Literary Kind, Ian shows us what he's really made of. He knows how to touch the human soul with his emotive lyricism, and brilliant song craftsmanship. To Be Loved takes you on a mystical musical journey, and I hope you will join us!"