Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Listen: Night Moves - "Carl Sagan"


With all the bands inspired by Carl Sagan's Cosmos (Yellow Ostrich's appropriately named final album Cosmos springs immediately to mind), it's hardly surprising to find that Minneapolis outfit Night Moves are among them.  Album opener "Carl Sagan", the second single from their upcoming sophomore record Pennied Days, continues in Night Moves twangy, swaggering take on indie rock by taking things down a notch or two from "Denise, Don't Wanna See You Cry". While the first single set its lovelorn pining at a quick step, "Carl Sagan" proceeds in increments and questions seemingly without answer.

"Am I fool to ignore them? How else shall I go on? Am I a fool to expect that someday I'm gonna be be gone?" John Pelant croons and it's easy to see how those questions apply both on a smaller and grander, more cosmic scale. Inspired by Pelant and Micky Alfano going through a Cosmos phase, Pelant uses the metaphor loosely giving it a sense of universal appeal. Pelant's songwriting here errs on the side of minimalism, engaged in a sort of lyrical Tetris that finds him subbing in seemingly unimportant words in a surprisingly effective manner. The lyrical sleight of hand is aided by the extensive amount of instrumental breaks Night Moves indulge in on "Carl Sagan" as they pair slide guitar with immersive organ and synth textures that updates the band's take on 70s psychedelic folk rock.



Night Moves' sophomore record is out March 25th on Domino. You can pre-order the album digitally here or on CD/LP here which comes with a bonus EP. Also, they'll be embarking on a pretty expansive US tour so make sure to catch them play the new cuts live and in person. Most dates are available for pre-order this Friday.

Night Moves US Tour Dates
Thurs April 14 || Minneapolis, MN || First Ave
Sat April 16 || Chicago, IL || Schubas Tavern
Mon April 18 ||Toronto, ON || Drake Hotel
Tues April 19 || Montreal, QC || Le Divan Orange
Thurs April 21 || Philadelphia, PA || Boot & Saddle
Fri April 22 || Brooklyn, NY || Rough Trade
Sat April 23 || Boston, MA || Great Scott
Sun April 24 || Washington, DC || DC9
Mon April 25 || Columbus, OH || Rumba Cafe
Tues April 26 || Indianapolis, IN || The Hi-Fi
Wed April 27 || Madison, WI || The Frequency
Fri May 6 || Seattle, WA || Sunset Tavern
Sat May 7 || Portland, OR || Doug Fir Lounge
Tues May 10 || San Francisco, CA || Rickshaw Stop
Wed May 11 || Santa Barbara, CA || Velvet Lounge
Thurs May 12 || Los Angeles, CA || The Echo
Fri May 13 || San Diego, CA || Casbah
Sat May 14 || Phoenix, AZ || Rebel Lounge
Wed May 18 || Austin, TX || Sidewinder
Thurs May 19 || Houston, TX || Rudyards British Pub
Fri May 20 || Dallas, TX || Double Wide
Sat May 21 || Kansas City, MO || Tank Room
Sun May 22 || Omaha, NE || Reverb Lounge

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