Customer Reviews

Moth Vellum

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

 

 

Moth Vellum's self-titled debut album came as a complete surprise to me. I stumbled upon the band by accident, and visited their website. Within minutes I was ordering a copy. From the opening synth notes of the first track, "Let The Race Begin", I was totally hooked. I've been listening to it constantly since then, and quite honestly none of the tracks on this disc are ones I would skip, and that's a rare thing for me -- they're that good.

If I were to try to describe their sound, it would probably be somewhere between Genesis circa 1976 (think A Trick Of The Tail and Wind & Wuthering), and Yes during their prime, but with a slight modern edge and crisp sound. They don't sound like a carbon-copy of either band, and there are other influences in their music as well. But the overall vibe or feel of the music is very similar, very pleasant, and full of nice melodies. It's a great album to drive to, or to chill out at home with.

If you are a fan of progressive rock (especially classic prog), this band is definitely worth checking out. While this CD doesn't necessarily push the envelope, it is a very good album by a very talented band, and I highly recommend it to lovers of melodic symphonic or classic rock.

I first heard Moth Vellum on Morrow.com and I knew I had to hear more. The album has a mix of retro 70's progressive music and a modern progressive music. The lead vocals reflect the song and also remind me of other progressive singers like Jon Anderson (Yes) and Geddy Lee (Rush). This is a great headphone album. Listen to all of the nuances from a 4 piece band!!! I look forward in seeing some kind of tour and word is that they are going into the studio this Fall to record a new CD. GREAT!!!

This is the some of most amazing and fulfilling music ever. The sound enters your ears, then massive amounts of endorphins flow throughout your body continuously through every second as you listen to this album.
When the album ends, you play it again, and again feeding your craving, beneficial addiction.
There are some strong influences from the greats, of the great at their best:{( Yes, Genesis) of which they are easily on a par with.}
Their style is uniquely satisfying. The arrangements are stellar and very moving

Johannes Luley's guitar has much of a Howe/Hackett magic. An
incredible driving force.

Tom Lynham `s Banks/Wakeman-ish style keyboards are perfection in
tone attack, texture with awe-inspiring hooks.

Ryan Downe's vocals are heavenly passion, moving in such an
interesting and complementary melody. He also does a
great job on bass with the classic Prog tone.
(Squire/Geddy/Rutherford)..

Matt Swindells `s drums are solid throughout the odd times with
excellent placement of accents and fill.

The interaction of all the musicians parts together form the perfection. I hear they are already working on a second album presently. Prog is very much alive. This new Prog band has a masterpiece on it's first outing. Really looking forward to the next. With sincere enthusiasm, kazthebassman

The other reviews pretty much sum it up. Analog sound of the 70's with today's production. Two lead vocalists (Matt and Ryan), is a unique take on the old prog sound, harmonies abound. Yes, Genesis, Camel and even some Spock's Beard seem to be main influences and yet, they don't really sound like these groups as much as they have the same feel. Mostly some beautiful dream-like melodies with occasional dynamic shifts into slightly faster, somewhat harder tempos. Wonderful debut by this group for old and new prog fans alike. Every track is a joy to listen to, with "Against the Sun" Parts one and two being the highlight for me. Highly recommended!

Starts out sounding like old Genesis, but on the whole Moth Vellum's first has stronger roots to Yes. If you love the music of Yes pick this one up. It's nice to know that the progressive mucic of the 70's is still alive in 2009.

A great hybrid of 70's era Yes and Genesis, with their own updated sound. Every song on this CD is stellar! Symphonic Prog at its best!

I heard a song on the radio and I was impressed, so I purchased their album. Great prog band with a lot of potential. Looking forward for more material.

I got a copy of Moth Vellum's debut months ago and scarcely gave it a listen.....until about 3 weeks ago.

Now I can't stop listening to it!! Every track is an absolute winner, and the formula the band uses is rather "Yes-like", but not a copy in any way, except some of the guitarists phrasings are not totally unlike Steve Howe's. The vocals are also sung in falsetto voices, making it similar to Jon Anderson's vocalizings. But the songs are not very Yes-like. They churn and semi-burn in places, but otherwise, they are very smooth, textured and soothing.

Favorite tracks: Salvo, Against the Suns (pts. 1 & 2), Let the Race Begin, Walk it Off.

I look forward anxiously to a follow-up from these talented musicians.

I guess the title itself of this review explains everything.

This is a "must-have" album.

I was very surprised when I listened to it. Moth Vellum has a very original and smooth style that gives the band it's own and distinctive mark. It has a lot of early-Yes elements (you can tell the Howe and Squire influences) together with the ones from other legendary prog rock bands. This doesn't mean they are a "clone band", at the contrary, they really stand alone giving us a fresh breeze of sublime tunes and an empathic affection for the intention these guys put on their debut album.

I am still really impressed and hope that this can be the start of new good prog modern band with a sustainned success. Currently these guys are working in new material, so I guess that my expectation on this point are covered

Can't wait for their next album !

Hope this review will help you !

PS: Yes! one of the lead vocals sounds like Geddy Lee in some parts.

To me, this was a very good job of channeling Yes. Similar song structures, along with a lead singer who sounds like he could be Jon Anderson's son. Don't get from this I don't like it.. I do. It is actually better than many of the efforts of Yes in their later days. If you like prog, I would recommend it. If you liked early Yes, buy it!