(Brainforest)
Describing themselves as Modern American romantic, Orphan Moon has just released this second release with lead band members Diane Boothby and John Boegehold on vocals and mandolin and acoustic guitar, respectively. Approaching each song as a separate entity the band uses an eclectic combination of instruments including those mentioned above as well as violin, viola, drums and percussion. This interesting blend of instruments with the addition of Boothbys strong voice gives the band a sound that ranges from folky to dance to pure ballad.
At their best, Orphan Moon sounds at times like the Indigo Girls with Boothbys voice soaring over the folky guitar and violin such as in the opening song "These Days". Most of the songs are related to nature and man's emotional and physical relationship to this element of our world. While this has the potential for corniness, Orphan Moon manages most of the time to sound inspiring without being overbearing. The only song which goes overboard and gets a bit on the preachy side is "Rocks, Paper, Scissors" which reminds me just a little too much of Martika's #1 hit "Toy Soldiers".
Overall, Orphan Moon provides the listener with an earful of strong vocals, rousing lyrics, and an interesting array of instruments and rhythms to make this album worth more than one listen and then a toss into the cd rack never to be played again.
