In a business ruled by singles and iPod downloads, the music industry has become so overwhelmingly general that it often forgets the sound of passion. Luckily, artists like Luna Halo remind the community that real, heartfelt music can still rise to the top.
Their self-titled full length album, executive produced by the legendary Rick Rubin (Tom Petty, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Neal Avron (Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy, Weezer), has an array of sounds ranging from pop to 80's rock, that blends as smoothly as Sex On The Beach.
Rubin and Avron clearly see the potential and zeal that this young band has to offer, hopefully propelling them toward the music-indulging masses.
Lead singer and guitarist Nathan Barlowe has a distinct voice for his era, sounding more like an 80's metal front man stuck in the wrong decade.
Halo's opening song "Kings & Queens," has a chorus that is upbeat and just plain fun to sing along with.
"C'mon! C'mon!/ You think you're so special/ What would it take for me to get to you?" sings Barlowe.
Barlowe's infatuation for music has never floundered, even when his first group of band members left him. The first person he recruited was his brother Cary, who also sings and plays guitar.
The brothers moved to Nashville, started recruiting, and eventually found bassist Aaron Jenkins and drummer Chris Coleman. Clicking together instantly, the band started touring and recorded their first full-length album Shimmer, selling themselves as the band that would re-write history.
By mixing many genres, Halo creates an original sound that is both soothing and well-organized. Audiences can listen to this CD from start to end, perhaps wanting to replay it when the final track is through.
Barlowe's ability to bounce back and forth from a rock-oriented sound to gentle pop is just an example of how this new album will bring hope to listeners jaded by a lack of modern musical creativity.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
