Customer Reviews

Stray Age

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I had a long drive ahead of me when I picked up a copy of Daniel Martin Moore's debut Stray Age. I had been eagerly awaiting it's release since I first heard his song "That'll Be the Plan" on his Myspace page months prior. I decided to take a long string of back-country roads to my destination rather than the noisy, dull highway. Between the gorgeous melodies of the album and the rustling, golden leaves whisking around my car, time almost stood still as I listened intently to the entire album over and over. Stray Age is a subtle album, maybe even difficult to fully understand first listen. It is an album to be absorbed, audibly savored. Daniel didn't rush through this album, so neither should you. Sit back and relax with Stray Age, let it slowly work it's way into one of your favorite albums.

It would not at all be an overstatement to say that Daniel Martin Moore has a voice as smooth as silk that will melt your heart away. Every track on his first release 'Stray Age' from Sub Pop Records is an absolute gem. Don't be in any kind of a hurry when you listen. He's not. His voice will slowly caress you with sweet, reflective, but non-sugary lyrics. For his first ever release he writes as if he is already a seasoned songwriter. His melodies are so natural and effortless as much as they stick to your mind hours after listening. Sticking to the mind is a good sign of good songs. Picking the highlighted songs of this disc is hard to do because the whole disc is a highlight, but you cannot go wrong with songs like 'That'll be the Plan', 'Stray Age', 'Every Color and Kind', 'The Hour of Sleep', and 'By Dream'. And his cover of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' is absolutely beautiful. Music is no competition, but it certainly rivals any version that I've ever heard. If you like beautiful folk tunes sung by a beautiful voice with a smidge of non-smaltzy lounge, Daniel Martin Moore is for you. Soon and very soon I know that I will be hearing the world cry out for Moore Moore Moore!!!

Stray Age' is the superb debut folk album from Cold Spring, Kentucky native Daniel Martin Moore. Previously an unknown, Moore solicited his demo to Sub Pop and based on its merits earned himself a record deal the old fashioned way. `Stray Age' is an autumnal record in its sparse beauty. In his approach to songwriting and vocals, Moore recalls Nick Drake and a less orchestrated Eric Matthews.

Moore performs tastefully with little instrumentation other than a lone guitar and vocal, on several tracks he is supported by piano and full band accompaniment. Moore presents himself as an assured artist and his taste in covers is excellent; his take on Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" is masterful. Other standout tracks include, "That'll Be The Plan," "The Old Measure," and "Every Kind and Color." This record is both subtle and disarming in its approach, which only accentuates its grace. `Stray Age' is available from Subpop Records.

Highest Recommendation.

I first heard Daniel Martin Moore singing "That'll Be the Plan" on radio, and because I was driving in heavy traffic I couldn't jot down the info I needed to track him down, not even which station I'd happened to tune in to. But I memorized the name. It took what seemed like forever to get from that to his album Stray Age. I simply had to have it. That just about says it all. Evocative, deceptively simple, incredibly lyrical--this is a voice you don't forget, and music you can't.