Customer Reviews

To Be Loved (Dig)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Critics love nothing more than to laud a musician for taking artistic risks and forgoing familiar territory in search of new terrain. As such, I'm baffled by the fact that Ian Moore continues to fly so far under the radar. "To Be Loved" is another giant leap from Moore's former blues rock persona, so much so that the one-time guitar hero doesn't even offer a single solo on this disc, instead focusing his immense talents on a terrific collection of (mostly) upbeat pop songs. Those lamenting The New Pornographer's "mellowing" would be well-advised to give "To Be Loved" a spin. It may just put a smile on your face.

I started listening to Ian Moore in high school, when his first release came with a national platform and countless media promises of "the next Stevie Ray Vaughan." Those early records are still a lot of fun, though they mostly remind me of being 16 and in love with the idea of long hair and ripping guitar leads. As I got older, I was surprised to find that Ian Moore's ouput covered an increasingly broad range of styles and was often in sync with my own changing tastes. In college, I was especially drawn to the minimalist roots music of "Green Grass," and "Luminaria" emerged at a time when I was listening to a lot of dreamy, deliberately paced pop. While other relics of my youth long ago relegated themselves to nostalgia status, Ian Moore continues to change and experiment, defying me to lose interest. At this point, the guy has earned lifer status from me.

Hopefully, alternative pop fans will ignore the "blues/classic rock" label that has dogged Ian for years and embrace "To Be Loved," which is a truly gorgeous collection of smart, evocative pop/rock songs.

It's an odd thing to say, "Man, this record is so good, I don't know why it isn't played on the radio all of the time" considering Ian Moore himself has said that his career in not built on an audience who came to hear the song on the radio and nothing else.

If you think about it, it's better that corporate America doesn't have a hold of this album. They would be pressing for a makeover and picking songs that they think are the best. No, it's much much better that Ian has complete control of his music, because it allows him to make a beautiful album like To Be Loved.

One reason it's great not to be led by radio is it makes you listen to the album from beginning to end. And this album is very easy to listen to end to end and then start all over again. The track selection and order are sublime on this record.

I think if I were to put this album in an Ian Moore category, it would be a cross between Green Grass and Luminaria. It has the surprises and harmonies of Green Grass (as well as that nice guitar edge) and it has the lushness and storytelling of Luminaria. In fact, there's a nice dab of And All The Colors in there too.

But there is something new on this record, which is a true Ian Moore staple. This record has a strong pop sensibility, and I mean that in a very good way. On this record, his ideas are compact and beautiful. The time he spent crafting each word and phrase is highly evident. Many people could think that a three minute song with a nice hook is just that. But listen to Literary Kind or Colvo's Passage and you'll see how prosity and power are packed into each second.

So it is without reservation that I recommend this record. If you have never heard an Ian Moore record, I suggest you pick this one up first. It will give you a nice launching pad to discover a true artist, an artist who listens only to his own creative impulses, allowing him to create perfect songs like the ones on To Be Loved.

Oh, damn. I can't help myself. It is a crime that 30 Days, the best song on the album (and they are ALL 5 star songs) isn't being played on every radio station in the world! But I'll just have to settle for listening to it on my Ipod until the end of time.

I hope I have sparked your interest enough to give it a try.

This record is a masterpiece in so many ways. I'm convinced Ian will go down in history as a legendary songwriter (among those in the know - not by the average radio listener!). Whatever you've heard about Ian or think you know - listen and prepared to be blown away. This record is the natural evolution of his musical odyssey and it is such a true representation of it.

Using his voice as the incredible instrument it is - Moore is even restrained and haunting at times in his delivery as the songs take you on their individual, unique journeys ... folk, country, pop and psychodelic rock (though I hate to try to categorize him in any way!). You get it all as well as lovely harmonies and the entire flow of the record is just genius. It plays like a great Beatles record.

A must-have for those with a clue. Listen three times through and you will not be able to take it out of your CD player for at least a month! And if you ever have the opportunity to see him live, do not miss it. You will never see a performer with more passion and his "live" voice is something that cannot be described.

It's groovy, it's fabulous, it's literally To Be Loved! Ian's newest album is a breath of fresh air. Staying true to himself, his music reflects a unique style like no other. With tracks such as 30 Days & Literary Kind, Ian shows us what he's really made of. He knows how to touch the human soul with his emotive lyricism, and brilliant song craftsmanship. To Be Loved takes you on a mystical musical journey, and I hope you will join us!

When "Luminaria" was released it quickly earned its place as the one album that never left my ipod. Every time it would come up on shuffle play, it'd make me glad that music this deep and rich is still being made. "To Be Loved" just joined that lineup of "albums to never remove from the ipod".

Beautifully crafted songs, deep lyrics, and Ian's voice all combine to make this a fantastic album. I encourage anyone who appreciates the art of songwriting to pick up this album and enjoy the hell out of it.

Why o' why is Ian Moore not more famous? The guy is an AMAZING talent and 'To Be Loved' is aother beautifully crafted album that showcases his more experimental side but retains the immaculate songwriting techique he continues to perfect beautifully. I highly recommend this albm to anyone looking for a change from the mainstream.

I've heard a few of his previous albums, this is the first that I've bought. I am so glad I did... he just gets better and better! Buy it!

Few artists undergo such an extreme evolution as has Ian Moore. This album, easily dubbed one of his best thus far, shows just how far a former Texas blues-rock guitar hotshot can wander from his roots -- in a good way. Ian Moore brings to life a plethora of experiences and emotions, both subtly dreamy and overtly overwhelming, and puts them right into your heart. Experimental pop-rock done the right way, drawing from innumerable and obscure acts before him, Ian Moore nails the idea of truly independent music right on the head. A winner to stand the test of time.

From the bright and upbeat songs to the new and exciting sound, I love every minute of it. This album is definitely to be loved.

i heard Ian moore on direct tv's 101 showcase and liked the bluesy singer/songwriter vibe he displayed. This album showed only the second half of that and even then i found it aukward