John Moremen - EP

  by Gary Wollen

published: 8 / 2 / 2003

Label: Bus Stop
Format: CDS

intro

Well performed, if slightly over constrained EP from Californian singer/songwriter, inspired by 80's British indiepop

Okay it isn’t the snappiest title ever but it is brutally accurate. This is, as it says, an EP by; you’ve guessed it, John Moremen. Who’s he ? I hear you ask. John is a singer/songwriter from California with a penchant for extremely well written songs that reverberate with an 80's indie feel. He comes from a current line of Californian luminaries such as Beulah, the Orange Peels and the Tyde who all draw from the British side of this genre. Think of the crafted songs of Martin Stephenson or the sonic shrapnel of the Commotions or indeed the lilting beauty of the Go Betweens. Maybe that’s over stepping the mark a little but those references should go some way towards what I believe John Moremen is striving for and all credit to him. If I may pick holes in this project, I feel the drums are a little loud and detract from the strong melodies and calm vocal style. The tunes here are fragile and subtly infectious. Granted, it took me three or four listens to fully appreciate the complexities. The guitar lines are delicately lush and in places beautifully brittle. The whole EP is well crafted and afforded a tight production which, at times, could benefit from wandering a little. That is my only criticism really. Loosen up and let your hair down a bit. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Track Listing:-