(Universal, 2011)
Review by Sean Sebastian
6/10
It must be hard to be a small band like Boy & Bear, to have a track blow-up as huge as their cover of Crowded House’s Fall At Your Feet, yet still be carrying an underappreciated back-catalogue of indie-folk gems. Their first EP, With Emperor Antarctica, made quite a splash thanks to a gratuitous beat-up from Triple J’s “Unearthed” program and rightfully so, the tracks are a tight series folky jams overlaid with lead singer Dave Hosking’s soulful, reverberated vocals. And though it was quite expensively produced, it had a simple, understated feel that gave the warm, amiable image of the band some life.
These elements have been carried across into the production of Moonfire, their debut LP, but have now been infused with a mix closer to that of a rock classic. The bass is heavier as its accentuated rhythm pounds through Feeding Line. The lead guitar’s once trebly distortion has been given a fuller sound, bristling and smooth, Milk & Sticks’ progression rings out powerfully. Though Boy & Bear have never sounded better, their golden folk hearts have been obscured by faultless production.
That being said, Moonfire is surprisingly energetic for a band now known for their reserved style. From the speedy, sing-a-long Golden Jubilee or the dramatic crescendo of Beach, the band have impressively flexed their muscles.
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