February turned fruitful early before late winter reared its nasty stupid face halfway through the month with proof coming from Nashville’s own Moon Taxi and their sophomore studio album, Cabaret, released the 7th from 12th South Records. There’s everything that local, progressive indie-electronica fans can ask for, be it the superb unified instrumentation of five young men hailing from Belmont University, excellent production value telling a story standing on its own or even a couple of guests including MGMT’s Hank Sullivant and rapper Matisyahu involved in the work to help create the most well-rounded statement of the genre within Middle Tennessee yet.
Changing upwards drastically from the trip taken on their debut Melodica, Moon Taxi expands from an all-out jam into something more modern throughout the 12-song release beginning with “Mercury,” sounding everyone in an aquatic, semi-trancing harmony while simultaneously impressing with each individual role. The drums, in particular, never cease to strike with agility and discipline while the keys and programming of the album supply the indie electronica modernity. On top of effected guitars (given “Gunflower”), a still funky bass, well-placed banjos and observantly written lyricism, the quintet even play without letting go of a little Southern folk heritage, if not just in a few songs.
Production-wise, Grammy winner Vance Powell, who worked over The Raconteurs’ albums, mixed Cabaret along with Hank Sullivant producing it. The first half of Cabaret gives you refreshed Moon Taxi just long enough to say, “Pretty sweet,” until strategically luring you back in mid-album for the attention refreshment, “Hideaway,” showcasing Trevor Ternup’s first go at rapping. Post second-wind, it’s smart placement from there on out as the remaining songs seem to pair up. “Southern Trance” and “Whiskey Sunset” prove there’s still a Southern notion in heart all the way to the last “Pennies” and “Gunflower,” matching up lyrically about some similarly out-of-right-mind fellows if not the same one. These pairings sandwich the couple of Moon Taxi’s bragging-rights songs as Ternup’s second run rapping duets with America’s most well known Hebrew rapper, Matisyahu, in “Square Circles,” as both flow around, complimenting one another stylishly in Matisyahu fashion. The title track follows as Spencer Thomson on the boards and Wes Bailey on keys get a chance to show off what Moon Taxi’s new seamless sound is all about.
Moon Taxi is currently promoting Cabaret with Nashville appearances March 4 at 3rd & Lindsley and April 18 at the Canary Ballroom with Galactica. Between, though, they’ll be making appearances at The Hangout festival in Gulf Shores (which is prime Moon Taxi setting). Links to Cabaret can be found online through iTunes or at ridethemoontaxi.com.
