Todd May

An absolutely stunning record that transcends any single style, 33 1/3 conjures up everyone from Big Star to the Jayhawks to the Long Ryders or even the Rolling Stones (with Gram Parsons steering the ship, of course). Tracks like “Fire In The Hole” recall more obscure y’alternative bands like Walk The West. “Past Few Days”, available as an MP3 file, might be the single most beautiful song I’ve heard this year, with achingly sweet vocals and fragile, haunting refrain. Tracks like “Hangin’” combine strong pop sensibilities with enough roadhouse flavor that both camps should gobble this up.

“Beautiful” is countrified blues with a guitar solo that recalls Ronnie Wood’s heartbreaker on The Faces‘ live version of “I’d Rather Go Blind” (if you’re gonna pay homage, it’s good to reference the gods!). “Long Time If I Don’t See You” is a great morning-after song, and in “Easily Broken Heart”, well…how about Rudy Vallee goes country? Chock full of winning tracks like “Vertigo” and “Top” that will resonate in your head after one listen. Make them one of your favorites, too. - Raising the Bar

Todd May, frontman for notable alt-country projects The Lilybandits and Mooncussers and the guitarist who took Lydia Loveless’ band to another level.

May’s guitar playing was just as revelatory with Fort Shame, a free-flowing dim neon mangle that appropriately tattered the seams of the duo’s otherwise tight songwriting. Employing the standard John-and-Paul twin songwriters model, Harshe and May traded gravelly lead vocals and frequently lent each other roughshod harmonies.

Style-wise, they bridged Harshe’s jangly, R.E.M.-inspired college rock with May’s post-Uncle Tupelo roots rock, finding a common denominator in Paul Westerberg’s uncouth big-hearted pop. Like Westerberg’s Replacements, they veered from straight pop sounds (Harshe played a very ’80s-sounding electric keyboard) to cacophonous finales without regard. - Columbus Alive dot com

Somewhat fitting that we have Columbus newcomers The Mooncussers following Damn The Torpedoes today, as The Mooncussers might have used that record as a boilerplate. Nothing revolutionary or earth shattering here, just top notch American roots rock and a hook big enough to snag Jaws. Lead single Lowlight is a great single that reminds me a little of Jackson Browne back when he mattered, and should appeal to who fans who dwell anywhere on the strip that runs from Springsteen to Gaslight Anthem, with all the Mellencamps, Marahs and Mekons in between. If Lowlight floats your boat as it does mine, your next stop should be The Mooncusser’s Bandcamp page, where you can score their Demo EP for nothin’.
- My Old Kentucky Blog

The Mooncussers

DEMO

Peloton Records

***1/2

Crisp, fresh and very real music, performed by great talent and sung in a cowboy-esque manner

Looking at the inside sleeve from DEMO, it is interesting to learn (and somewhat confusing) that there are six members in the Mooncussers who switch instruments throughout this mini-album. With five members (two of which are guests) listed as drummers, it seems the only member who sticks at what he does is front man Todd May. With a voice which would fit perfectly to the image of a nomadic cowboy, May leads his band of gentleman effortlessly with his wicked and gritty vocals. Four of the six songs were recorded at Greg Thurman’s (keys and drums) house, while Chicksaw Road and Carolina II were recorded at the Chillicother Recording Worshop. There does not seem to be a difference, usually, you’d able to tell between live recordings from a back bedroom to a more polished and clean recording in a studio, but here there is little to hint that the songs were recorded at home. Without the cheap crackling and fuzzy muffles bands usually capture from home, the four tracks sound crisp, fresh and very real. With great music, take Hard To Love You for example, May understands how to put across a wonderful performance by giving the listener the right amount of emotion. Although DEMO is a mere six songs, this is a wonderful album from the Mooncussers, and we hope to feature them some time soon in Maverick, for they are a wonderful union of musicians performing great country crossover music. CB


- Maverick Magazine November 2010 Issue

"an alt-country all-star team of sorts . . . stirred by the "No Depression" school of rock, there's something satisfying for you in these twangy barroom ballads. They go down a lot easier than the whiskey that undoubtedly inspired them." - Alive

"What they maintain is an appealing, highly listenable roots-rock sound influenced by decades-old artists and the grit of AM radio." - Columbus Dispatch

A brag-worthy lineup, May digs deep into his Kentucky roots, cranking out twangy tunes . . . like Counting Crows if Adam Duritz had balls"

"some Replacements-style grit, and like the Drive-By Truckers, he’s as much at home with a wailing electric guitar as he is with acoustic picking."

"when May sings, “It’s hard to love you when you don’t come home,” and those country-style leads echo the sentiment, you realize there’s no reason for the Mooncussers to break new ground when the soil’s still fertile."
- The Other Paper

. . . "with writing that seeks to impact the listener at a deeper level than just entertainment . . . It is obvious on the first listen that the members of this band are students of good music. Dynamic, soulful and pure is the way one could label the spirit of this band. The Mooncussers are cool because they are just good at what they do."
- The Independent Music Scene