Breathless - Blue Moon

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 5 / 2 / 2016

Label: Select Label
Format: N/A

intro

Carl Bookstein reflects on London based quartet Breathless' evocative, atmospheric and melancholy fifth album 'Blue Moon', which originally released in 1999, is about to be reissued

The London-based quartet Breathless has re-released their 1999 hallmark fifth album 'Blue Moon'. The results are atmospheric and emotive. This is the signature Breathless melancholy sound, featuring both sensitivity and invention. Singer Dominic Appleton calls 'Blue Moon' “our most lo-fi and experimental record.” Appleton also notably sang with the acclaimed musical collective This Mortal Coil. Breathless is Appleton on vocals and keyboard, Gary Mundy on guitar, Ari Neufeld on bass and Martyn Watts on drums. 'Blue Moon' grew out of extensive questing rehearsal sessions and long jams that were taped and used as raw materials that led to finished tracks. The opener 'Walk Down to the Water' creates a beautiful atmospheric flow from the get go. Rich ambient echoing sound travels into a poignant Appleton vocal. Appleton’s vocal instrument is always remarkable. He cannot help but be evocative and this is no exception - the instrumental atmospherics complimenting him fully here. 'Magic Lamp' starts slowly and soon gets to rocking, with some stinging guitar and a confident drum beat. 'Goodnight' is an absolute album highlight - slow, soothing and lovely - both the vocal and the instrumentals. The lyric is stark and remarkable. The narrator missing an embrace: “To hold me/Till the comfort drowned me.” 'Green Finger Swinger' starts like pure jazz with its easy swinging drumbeat- a fine first rate instrumental from a truly innovative band. 'Come Reassure Me' builds in momentum, ultimately creating waves of electric sound. 'All the Reasons Slide' begins with some kind of a synthesis of reverberating guitar and keyboard, then a simple drum beat followed by Appleton’s soothing vocal. The lyric “There’s got to be a reason for your being here” provides a healing dose of contemplation. 'Drifting' is flowing immersive sound- atmospheric and rich, “It’s coming soon” the lyric. The bonus track here 'Moonstone 3' is a third instrumental instalment to a pair of instrumentals that came with a limited pressing of the original 'Blue Moon' 1999 CD. This third instalment accompanies this reissue and is haunting and at times lovely - echoing sound reverberates. 'Blue Moon' is the beautiful instrumental title track closer, shimmering and poignant - the fitting end to a significant album from a great band.

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