Former schoolmates in their native Minneapolis, John Pelant and Micky Alfano soon discovered they shared a mutual appreciation of Todd Rundgren and The Beach Boys. It’s an entirely familiar how-our-indie-rock-band-formed kind of tale, but this time one that hasn’t resulted in any retro kitsch Lemon Twigs-style indulgence.
Night Moves’ singer Pelant has a vocal range that’s almost as wide as fellow Mini Apple alumni Prince and the band create tightly orchestrated guitar rock, which playfully skirts around the likes of Big Star, Gram Parsons and Harry Nilsson. Lightly dusting the whole thing in syncopation and swirling keyboards, producer Jim Eno (drummer with alt-rock’s best kept secret, Spoon) makes the whole concoction sound pleasingly contemporary.
8/10
Ben Wardle