From someone with a resume with all the right names--including opening for the Rolling Stones and ZZ Top--and reviews such as "a blazing new guitar hero" and "first-rate singer and songwriter", somehow I expected more from Ian Moore's Modernday Folklore. While the music is very competent, lyrical Texan-rock'n'folk, I feel that there's a driving force missing--as if the band never gets into top gear. I suspect that my first experience of Ian Moore should have been on stage, and not on a plastic CD.
Sounding a lot like Chris Whitley at times, both vocally and guitar-wise, and with rhythms reminiscent of the Jeff Healey Band (particularly Bar Line), Modernday Folklore is like a toned-down version of a roadhouse R&B band playing folk. Almost. The first song - and single - Muddy Jesus, is energetic, exciting and everything I hoped it would be. In my opinion, it is by far the best cut on the CD. ---