The Moon My Saddle
Dog House Records
Formerly known as Split Lip, Chamberlain has been a mainstay on the underground music scene for years. Past albums have showcased a band deeply entrenched in hardcore and emo, but as the moniker has changed, so has the style.
On The Moon My Saddle, Chamberlain belts out tune after tune of heart-felt rock-and- roll. At first listen, the most striking aspect of the album is the great similarity in vocal styles between the band's frontman, David Moore and famed rural-rocker John Mellencamp. Unfortunately, this parallel may discourage many from gaining an appreciation for the album that comes with further digestion.
The lyrics and Moore's vocal interpretations, possess a sincere poetic charm that is quite aptly accented by the band's musical output. This union creates an intensely introspective and moving sequence of emotionally propelled songs.
The album offers a study in the art of heightening musical intensity through the shifting of dynamics. Songs such as "Crush You," "Stars in the Streetlight" and "World Don't Want Us" provide evidence in favor of this style.
Meanwhile, "Manhattan's Iron Horses (The Last Train Out)" presents Chamberlain's ability to play catchy, danceable rock-and-roll, and "Last to Know" is strikingly similar, in a pleasant way, to the music that accompanies Ferris' trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Moon My Saddle challenges the listener to delve past first impressions so a collection of deep and powerful songs may be discovered. It also has the pesky practice of refusing to leave the CD player.
--Brian Gettler