Sandycoates Melody Memory CD

Sandycoates is a solo project from Greg Moore, one-half of the chamber pop duo the Moore Brothers. He departs from that band's organic sound and utilizes some electronics on Melody Memory as most of the songs are built around light drum sequences and colored in with gentle synth sounds. The electronics complement the simple musical backing well and never do anything to distract from Moore's biggest asset, his wonderfully intimate and smooth vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of a more reedy Colin Blunstone. His multi-tracked vocal harmonies are quite nice, especially on the acoustic ballad "Another Snowman." The songs on Melody Memory are quite straightforward compared to the Moore Brothers' twisting neo-psych sound, often relying on simple chord changes and almost folky melodies. The problem with the EP is that it feels very slight, the general politeness and laid-back feeling conspire to make it the kind of recording that evaporates from your mind as soon as you take it out of your CD player. The only song that really sticks is the propulsive and guitar-driven "A Jumble," and that is partly due to the gimmicky female vocal interjections. The rest is sort of a pleasant blur and it certainly pales in relation to the recordings Greg has made with his brother (and also as Owl & the Pussycat). ~ Tim Sendra