Search - Moon Taxi :: Live Ride

Revolutionary is the word.

M.J. Reilly | Nashville, TN | 06/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The band Moon Taxi has created for themselves a swiftly burgeoning cult retinue, shrewdly leveraging their raw talent and meticulous musicianship against an industry that regularly snubs independent schemes. The Nashville-based rock quintet fights the current of their surroundings by refusing all labels, genres, and pigeonholes alike, and instead thrives on versatility and prides themselves with their ability to win over any type of audience with their universal themes and broad variation of influences. Moon Taxi's debut album "Melodica" set the band up for success, but their true victories have transpired on the road: they tour the Southeast relentlessly and with a rare, inexhaustible enthusiasm. So what better way to record a sophomore album than with Moon Taxi's infamous live show? "Live Ride" is a compilation of new and old, though the six pre-recorded tracks are much improved from the studio album. "Here to Stay" now boasts a blistering, jazzy keys solo; "Funky Respiration" features a sweltering new jam, and "Gibson" is tighter and groovier than ever. Other focus tracks include the dynamic single, "Common Ground," the smoldering, complex "Skipping Stones," "Morningtime," another amped-up "Melodica" favorite, and radio-worthy rock anthem "Anchors." These boys have discovered a way to translate their individual advanced knowledge of music into a multitude of collective sounds, from bright harmonica notes to rumbling bass lines, screaming guitar solos and brazen organ tones, all driven by precise and intricate drum beats and cymbal crashes. Overall, one might say Moon Taxi is reminiscent of Allman Brothers meets Phish and Rage Against the Machine, but their live show is like no other, and "Live Ride" has embodied it flawlessly. Moon Taxi is undoubtedly a band for which one must keep an eye on the horizon, but until then, turn those funky tunes up, y'all."