Sticks and Stones (2008)

For better or for worse, moe. has always been a live band. Studio albums from such groups have a tradition of being iffy affairs, as the musicians involved suddenly find themselves without an audience, without applause, and without the artistic license to improvise to their hearts' content. During the early 2000s, moe. battled the confinements of the studio by combining live performances with recorded tracks, creating a sort of compromise between the flexibility of a live show and the crispness of a studio product. Albums ... Read More

For better or for worse, moe. has always been a live band. Studio albums from such groups have a tradition of being iffy affairs, as the musicians involved suddenly find themselves without an audience, without applause, and without the artistic license to improvise to their hearts' content. During the early 2000s, moe. battled the confinements of the studio by combining live performances with recorded tracks, creating a sort of compromise between the flexibility of a live show and the crispness of a studio product. Albums like Wormwood and Conch benefited from this approach, but 2008's Sticks and Stones is a different animal entirely. Recorded in three short weeks inside a New England church, it focuses exclusively on moe. as a studio outfit. The group's songwriting has matured since the '90s (when the majority of their studio work was released), which helps Sticks and Stones come across as a progressive step forward despite its relaxed, somewhat subdued sound. There are no extended drum solos here, no improvised guitar riffs, and only a handful of long, instrumental passages. Instead, the quintet channels the radio-ready classic rock of the Grateful Dead and the Eagles, complete with pleasing (if slightly imperfect) harmonies, tight songcraft, and plenty of guitar muscle. Working with the studio rather than in spite of it, the band pulls of a number of tricks that simply wouldn't work in a live setting, from the acoustic fretwork of "September" (one of the most haunting, striking ballads they've ever attempted) to the footstomps and fiddles of the Celtic drinking song "Raise Your Glass." The tunes are short and concise, with as much emphasis placed on the bandmates' vocals -- which sound better here than they ever do live -- as their instrumental skills. So while Sticks and Stones is a change from the band's live catalog, it's certainly a welcome one, and it's been years since moe. sounded this well rounded. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi Read Less

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• CD, Good 2008, Fat Boy UPC: 650869664921 See Item Details ▾

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  	Edition: 2008, Fat Boy CD, Good	Details: UPC: 650869664921 Discs: 1 Label: Fat Boy Released: 2008 Alibris ID: 17999801489	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.46 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
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• CD, Very Good 2008, Fat Boy UPC: 650869664921 See Item Details ▾

  HPB-Ruby HIGH Dallas, TX, USA

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  	Edition: 2008, Fat Boy CD, Very Good	Details: UPC: 650869664921 Discs: 1 Label: Fat Boy Released: 01/21/2008 Alibris ID: 17955653161	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.46 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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