Eric Moeckel: Presenting Review
We last heard from songwriter Eric Moeckel when his band the Sextons released their Radiohead indebted debut record a year or so ago. Now Moeckel is back but this time it’s as a solo artist. Forsaking his band (for the time being anyway) Moeckel recently released a record of moody folk tunes called Presenting. And while the new material shares some commonalities with Moeckel’s Sextons work, it also shows signs of maturation and growth.
Presenting is a collection of eight tunes that Moeckel recorded himself with the benefit of a few microphones and some looping software. The real centerpiece of the record (and Moeckel’s best asset) is his voice, which is a very delicately pretty baritone in the mold of Thom Yorke or Paul McCartney before him. Moeckel carries the brunt of Presenting through sheer vocal talent – murmuring songs like “Seconds” and “Falling Song” in a gentle yet resonant whisper. And complimenting Moeckel’s voice is an array of instrumentation that ranges from Spanish classical guitar strumming (in “Lost”) to warped synths (“Time Out”).
Though billed as “psych folk” Moeckel’s tunes aren’t really quite far out enough to really fit that descriptor. While lush and atmospheric, Presenting seems like something for along the folk/pop lines of Liam Finn or Ferraby Lionheart than anything psychedelic. That isn’t to say they are bad – just not quite as sonically adventurous as something one might associate with psych.
Lyrically, Moeckel still seems to have some ground to cover. While obviously from the heart, Moeckel’s reliance on some of the more overused tropes of emotional songwriting robs the lyrics of much of the resonance lent by his lovely vocals. For instance a line like “tell me your dreams / you will crush my soul” seems more like locker wall lit than unique songwriting. Lyrics though will come if Moeckel sticks to his craft. He’s certainly got the talent to succeed and presenting seems like a great big step in the right direction as far as artistic growth goes. Hopefully Moeckel doesn’t stop here but continues to hone his musicianship, since it will certainly be interesting to hear where he goes next.
— Jon Behm
You can pick up a copy of (or stream) Presenting here
Erick Moeckel: Site
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