Ramblings of Tungsten

Licker’s Last Leg by Goon Moon

Licker’s Last Leg by Goon Moon

I first became aware of Goon Moon while listening to Radio Soundcheck. I came into the show about one forth of the way into “Apple Pie” and rather liked what I heard but at the time I didn’t have the foresight to write down the name of the band. Some months passed by and the track just kind of popped back into my head. It isn’t exactly the type of song that really gets stuck in your head but it has a haunting element that is definitely memorable. So I somehow managed to remember that the word “Moon” was in the band name and let me tell you just try searching for a band when that is all you have to go on. Luckily, Soundcheck lists all of the artists they play on each show so I was able to track down Goon Moon. So on the basis of three fourth of one song I decided to buy the album, Licker’s Last Leg.

Rather than go into great detail about who is in the band, which could taint one’s opinion, I am just going to listen to it and write as I go. Here is my track by track while-listening evaluation of Licker’s Last Leg by Goon Moon. (Please excuse and poor grammar below. These are gut reactions)

Apple Pie: Sets the tone for what I can only describe as an album filled with rhythmic space rock. Great track with an entrancing cadence but forces some simple rhymes.

My Machine: Takes on a more aggressive tone but continues to force easy rhymes, which cheapens what would otherwise be a good track.

An Autumn That Came Too Soon: I may unfairly favor this track because the opening reminds me of a theme assigned to two supporting characters in Final Fantasy 6 (3 in the U.S.) that being said this track is genuinely good. The haunting vocals accompanying the rhythmic guitar background make this track stand out.

Feel Like This: Definitely more of a rock song than the previous tracks. Feel Like This conjures images of a hardcore rocker in a cliché leather pants and opens silk shirt “uniform” strung out on any substance of choice. Hard hitting without losing the rhythmic chant quality that permeates the album.

Pin Eyed Boy: Winning instrumentals coupled with effective lyrics make this song a bit of a standout at the outset but it fails to go any further. It has more of a “single” quality.

Hardcore Q3: Definitely an interesting track with some shining moments but the whole thing almost feels like it is trying too hard to be weird which makes it come off almost as an inside joke that is lost on the audience.

Tip Toe: Another odd track but not with its charm. Tip Toe has a lighter almost swing or big band quality to it that could convince you that Goon Moon tours in zuit suits.

Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You: This tack starts off with the tone of an anthem and then oscillates between somewhat creepy spoken word and back to anthem throughout the song. I have to say that even though I don’t entirely “get it” I like this track.

Lay Down: Lay Down starts off with a lighter tone than much of the album with lyrics that seem to match the lightness of the instrumentals beneath but one senses a deeper, perhaps darker, meaning behind this track. Overall the song fits together quite well.

Balloon?: Another pure rock song with a classic feel that completely departs from the more space rock theme of many of the previous tracks. This is probably the most non-experimental song on the album. Just about any rock fan will like “Balloon?.”

The Golden Ball: If for nothing else, I like this song for its weirdness. It is by far the longest track on the album at almost ten minutes long and throughout that time it takes many stylistic turns and at points drags a little but generally speaking a decent track.

Built In a Bottle: This is a very mellow track that closes the album out on a more acoustic trance note. It’s is a little too sleepy for my tastes but all-in-all a good closer. Goon Moon may have chosen to put this track last to bring the listen back down after the extremely eclectic ride throughout Licker’s Last Leg, but I wouldn’t want to speculate too much as to the band intent.

Overall rating:

I think it is worth checking out but maybe not buying unless you really like what you hear. At least go to their MySpace page and check out what is actually one of my favorite songs by Goon Moon but is not featured on this album, “Sleep with a Gun.”