WHERE THE MOON CAME FROM

Granted, I didn't really know what to expect from US Space-Rockers Where The Moon Came From, but I have to say, this isn't anything like I would have imagined it being. This modern, heavy Space-Rock that recalls classic guys like Pink Floyd and Hawkwind, yet adds so much dimension to the music and have lifted up into more exciting territory for it to be in line with the times. It is clear that these guys aren't interested in simply repeating the music of the past; rather, they use the older style of songs as springboards for their new styles. This is TRUE futuristic Rock with a lot of attitude and some impressive songwriting that sometimes sounds way too advanced for this to be a debut!

''Pangaea Pt. One'' Is an all-instrumental track that starts things off right. Strong playing all around, and never gets repetitive. Everything a good instrumental track should be.

''We Dove Into The Sunrise'' is our first taste of vocals, and wow! These guys can sing, too! I think some of the guitar work here will remind some listeners of Led Zeppelin and/or Black Sabbath, and yet there are still so many modern elements thrown into this mix, it makes for quite an interesting ride. Pretty neat, rocking piece. A particularly nice rough-edged guitar solo comes in near the song's end.

''Rabblerouser''. Wow! Nice drum skills, dude! Around 1:30, the bass goes solo, then some various odd percussion accompanies it. Guitar eventually joins in, and and it all comes back around before blasting into to some really heavy riffs around 2:40. By the time we are three minutes in, a single string, spacey guitar solo takes things in a very dreamy direction. The vocals that are featured during this section are particularly interesting and otherworldly. Then, a few start-and-stop moments from the guitars before the grand finale.

''Baptized In The Dirty Water'' begins with just the bass, playing an airy, psychedelic tune, soon joined by some light percussion and clean guitar. The vocal melodies here seem to slightly go against what the instruments are playing, and that gives things a bit of an off, not-quite-right atmosphere. I assume that's the point, here. I feel like I'm listening to some heavily-Beatles-influenced music, here, but of course, it still manages to stay modern and fresh despite the heavy influences. Good track. Around 4:45, the gears shift entirely, and some faster-paced breakdowns take place, that have a lot of digital, synthy moments. A shame this little change-up didn't occur a little earlier. For the most part, though, a good song.

''Moonbows'' is without a doubt the best song on the album. Short, sweet, and extremely uplifting. Consisting only of acoustic guitar, it sounds like it could be taking influence from either The Tea Party's ''Winter Solstice'' or Yes' ''Mood For A Day''. Perhaps both, or perhaps neither. All I know is, I absolutely love it.

''Suckle From The Starlit''. This track features an incredibly dreamy electric guitar riff that serves as a good backdrop for the vocal stylings heard here (most harmonizing heard on the album), and all in all a very good track full of drum flourishes, Floyd-esque passages and some really out-of-this-world composition. One moment even reminded me of Tool, a bit, oddly enough (first happening at around 3:20, then recurring at near four minutes in). I think bear the end the vocals get a little out of hand, but still not bad. Great, GREAT bass playing during the song's outro.

A long-held final vocal note from the previous song's final moments carries over into the album's final track, ''Pangaea Pt. Two''. This is my second-favorite song on the album. Clearly it features the best vocals on the album with the main singer being accompanied by what sounds like a female voice, so i assume that would be the 'Linsay Anderson' mentioned in the album's liner notes. Overall, it's just a really solid song with beautiful instrumentation and perfectly-placed vocal harmonies. What a great way to end an already fabulous debut!

I think I'm really looking forward to whatever future releases Where The Moon Came From might produce (I can't believe the only other thing they did so far since this effort was one EP!), and for a first-time album, it's above par. I'm giving it a low 3.5 rating, simply because I didn't get as much enjoyment out of the whole as I did out of a couple of specific songs. Still, if you're looking for some retro-influenced, yet clearly inspired, modern Space-Rock, I think you'll really enjoy what Twin Of Pangaea has to offer.

The former 2005 album 'Twin Of Pangaea' has more of a heavy psych outfit with indie leanings but this one is a really fascinating spaced out trip, rather tension-filled with constantly changing fragments. Nothing raw and unpolished. You immediately can sense the overdub work made with love for detail ... not overproduced though - they offer a compact atmosphere based on multiple instruments appearing.

It all starts with a Yeti reminiscent hallucinatory mood featuring a groovy fundament, playful electric guitars, whispering voices, whimpering organ, charming flute ... just a cornucopia of impressions. Nearly arriving the middle of the track they change to another pace lead by an intriguing percussion drive and including more indo/raga elements. Heavy excited emotions follow, Zappa shimmers through occasionally and then suddenly somewhere in between a catchy melody appears supported by nice female vocals arranged like siren call.

Although this is (only) an appetizer I consider it deserving a high rating. A surprising new sign of life from WHERE THE MOON CAME FROM, a trippy journey, coming very close to the transcendental mood of Amon Düül 2, Dragontears and Cosmic Trip Machine. Get it!