With their newest record "The Conch," Buffalo's very own jam band moe. gives listeners a refreshing blend of playful melodies, spacey tunes and the stock jams.
The guitar work is what stands out on this album. Singer-guitarists Chuck Garvey and Al Schnier shine in the very Phish-esque songs "Lost Along the Way" and "The Pit." Accompanied with psychedelic twin guitar solos, these tracks will remind fans of songs like "Water" from the band's 2001 release, "Dither."
Exceptional songwriting is a shining point as well, something that fans should have come to expect over the years. The suicide-themed song "Another One Down" shows great lyrical range and a welcomingly darker side to the band's usually uplifting themes.
Since the bands birth here at the University at Buffalo in 1991, they have never strayed too far from their indie-jam roots. Although they haven't achieved the popularity or status of fellow jam band standouts like the Grateful Dead, Phish or The Allman Brothers, moe. has reached a level of transcendence that has not gone unrecognized.
The group draws fans, or "moe.rons" as they have come to be known, from across the globe to the three annual events that they host. These music festivals, known as Snoe.down, Summer Camp and moe.down, have all raised money for various charitable causes.
Among the 13 albums the band has released in the past 15 years, "The Conch" is some of moe.'s most versatile and best work. Sure to please the fans, this album strikes all-indie fueled cylinders.
Moe. will be performing at the Town Ballroom on Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. - tickets cost $23.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
