Moonlight Rhythm Society - Demons Trolls and Dragons
Pop, Jazz
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Overall Impression: There's not much I can be certain of in this world, however, when I see the name Moonlight Rhythm Society, I can state with great confidence that I just know I'm in for a great time, and mere seconds into their mightily fun track "Demon Trolls and Dragons", I can safely say that I was right. Managing to once again cook up their special and unique brand of pop-injected jazz fusion, the musical wizards that comprise Moonlight Rhythm Society continue to outdo themselves, positively spoiling listeners with a terrifically catchy piece of writing that's elevated to even greater heights by both a towering sense of musicianship and a profound level of deft creativity. With its funk-infused rhythms, jazz-soaked sense of sheer melodic excitement, and stunning performances that are to grip many a listener's ears, "Demon Trolls and Dragons" is an exemplary piece of songwriting that is an absolute joy to get swept up by.
Strongest Point(s): A strong feature in any Moonlight Rhythm Society tune is the exciting feeling of dynamism that can be felt throughout the arrangement, and this is no exception in "Demon Trolls and Dragons". Whether it'd be the way melodies bounce off one another in a precise yet swagger-filled manner or the way various rhythmic ideas are carefully fragmented and spread across the instrumentation in order to create a certain energetic bounce to the music, the writing always feels alive. It's this fascinating interplay between the various elements that give "Demon Trolls and Dragons" its highly-listenable quality, so much so that repeated listens are absolutely necessary in order to be able to fully appreciate the amount of detail that's been delicately woven into the arrangement. Take the marvelous call and response idea (One of many may I add) that occurs from 1:15 for example, the brass, backing vocals, and fender Rhodes engage in a brilliant dash of melodic give-and-take that really helps highlight the nuances of the writing profusely. The backing vocals are also a brilliant addition and help add some nice tonal layers that compliment the lead vocals wonderfully, expanding the rich textural properties of the track furthermore and helping to highlight key moments in the lyrics.
Target Audience Appeal: Jazzy Pop-Rock fans will most certainly find "Demon Trolls and Dragons" to be an incredibly fun and musically exciting listening experience.
Artist target suggestions: David Sanborn, Jacob Collier, Snarky Puppy, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, The Alan Parsons Project, Little River Band, George Benson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Pat Metheny Group, Larry Carlton, Frank Zappa, Chicago
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.