BRAINSTORM OF EMPTYNESS

It's hard to believe that the same group that produced such an emotional tour de force as "Seagulls" on their debut could sink so quickly, opting for technobabble, but indeed that is the case with the sophomore effort of Moongarden, which has a very 1980s sound to me, in itself hardly an endorsement, but this isn't even good 1980s music.

Another aspect that made "Moonsadness" more appealing was the technique of utilizing little instrumental accompaniment during the brief vocal sections. This too has gone away, and instead Riccardo Tonco sounds like a cheap soul imitation of David Sylvian crossed with Midge Ure. He's just altogether too breathy, especially on "Who's wrong" which has the added insanity of horrid Clare Torrey styled wails. The attack of the robots continues on "Gun Child". A little 1980s David Bowie perhaps? What to say of "Is he Mommy's Little Monster" except that it is the musical equivalent of "Mommie Dearest". And so it goes. The contrast between all the overblown segments and the occasional promising passages only serves to heighten the disappointment, as in Sherilyn's Mistake, which starts well but its overwrought passing is more blessing than anything.

The interludes that anchor the proceedings are left with too big a mess to salvage, and only "Sonya in Search of the Moon Part 2" really comes close to any sort of a statement. "Sea Memories" is probably the only true highlight, with more than a few hints of former glories. Even the Andy Latimer-isms seem flat. A very disappointing release. 1.5 stars rounded down because we know they can do much better. Never was an album more aptly named.