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I love bands who manage to combine the sound of the past with something of the here and now. It shows they are happy to learn from what has gone before, which is always a good trait. But the ability to update and reimagine those past sonics and mix them with more contemporary sounds and more modern styles shows that they are no mere plagiarists or plunderers. Mirrors On The Moon is a band that displays this ability perfectly, and Whiskey & Wine, their debut EP, walks that perfect line between what was, what is, and what might yet be.
There is no shortage of skill and experience on display here; just the band resume alone is enough to turn a few heads. Based around the guitar and vocals of Donny Dykowsky, we also find Chesterwhite’s Freddy Pastore on bass, John Hummel on drums, who is no less than Lady Gaga’s go-to drummer, plus Dave Archer keys man for UNI, and the Urchins with backing vocals by Emily MacMahon. Impressive stuff indeed!
But a resume does not an EP make, and thankfully, the music speaks for itself. The title track is a gorgeous blend of blues attitudes and Laurel Canyon harmonic gloss, which in many ways acts as a template for the EP as a whole. But of course, the devil is always in the detail, and it is what they add to this initial sonic platform that makes all the difference. “Marigolds” features some Dave Gilmour-infused soloing, “Waking Up” is understated and balladic bliss, and “Get Lost” sees the band embrace some heavy-grooving, R&B swagger.
The EP rounds off with “Don’t Panic,” again full of Floydian flourish and the sort of melodics that Jeff Lynne would have wrestled you to the ground to acquire on back in the day.
You will have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on this first scintillating sonic salvo from the band, at least until October 6th, but get your hands on it, you must.
