It's been two decades since musician and songwriter Steve Moss released music as a solo artist.
His last album, Glorified Demos, hit airwaves when The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won Best Picture at the Oscars back in 2004. The 11-song LP offered a DIY collection of self-recorded indie rock tracks, which earned him a reputation for its authentic energy and approach to singer-songwriter artistry.
Now, Moss is back with his aptly titled return, Another Go. Released in December of last year, this raw-sounding album blends his Beatles-esque melodic sense with the sonic feel of other DIY-sounding indie rock like that of Pavement and others.
Hitting with a burst to start, "No Fear", is a driving, propelling rock number. In the track, Moss reminisces: "I used to have no fear / And every moment was the start of an adventure." He reflects on the naivety of youth, contrasting innocence with adult cynicism. "When I look into the future / It seems like all I see are lies," the chorus ends. Through the album, Moss reconciles feelings of hopelessness with the chance of starting over, a feeling many listeners can resonate with at the start of a new year.
In the third track, "One Less Thing (I Have To Worry About)," Moss sings over ringing electric guitars about starting over, with Oasis-like vocals. The rhythm section comes in a minute through the track, with sparse drums and a melodic bass lick that makes this song stand out. "Lost Along the Way," the album's fourth track, is another number that strikes a chord: "I need a light to guide me along," Moss sings, persisting the theme of the endless search for meaning in this mid-tempo song.
Another standout track, "My Darling," sits sixth on the record, and offers a dazzling acoustic ballad in which Moss's double-tracked voice sounds not unlike Alex Chilton from Big Star. The click before the chorus is a creative element, reminiscent of something like Yo La Tengo, instilling the DIY indie rock sense Moss has developed over the years.
Based in Albany, NY, Moss's creative pursuits span far beyond his work as a solo artist. In the time since his first record, he has contributed artwork to dozens of video games and maintained a presence in the regional music scene.
Another Go is a project entirely put together by Moss in his home studio, as he performed, engineered, and produced every song and played every instrument -- a most impressive feat.
His singular, untainted vision shines through the album, and hopefully, it won't be two more decades before Steve Moss gives it another go.
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