Indianapolis, USA-based five-piece MooseTooth first hit our radar in September 2022 thanks to the release of their debut album It All Tastes The Same. At the time I was impressed with their ability to mix genres so I was excited when I discovered they had a recently-released live collection out.
By Graeme Smith
Live Vol. 1 was recorded on St. Patrick’s Day 2023 at The Mousetrap in Indianapolis, a landmark for the local scene. The collection gives us three tracks from It All Tastes The Same, one unreleased track, and a cover of Ween’s The Blarney Stone.
The live recording was unplanned. Stuart Kocher Jr. recorded the performance straight from the soundboard, unbeknownst to the band. After selecting their favourite tracks, they were mixed and mastered by Andy Eason. None of the live energy was lost in the process and, if you shut your eyes, you can picture yourself there in the crowd.
The collection opens with Things I Need and it’s a bright and lively start. Noodling guitar sets the early tone before expressive and pleading vocals come in. The rawness of the live recording emphasises everything, and the intermingling of sax and vocals is a particular highlight.
The Waltz Bit brings with it plenty of distortion and a tempo that will get you moving frantically. Exotic licks of flavour will transport you and it has a vibrant sense of energy about it. The unreleased track Monster is a mid-collection highlight, delivering a bittersweet story that’s full of warmth. It’s another move inducing number that’s rich with a sense of catharsis. Wet Heave, Dry Heave, Die is a cacophonous moment of punk chaos before MooseTooth’s spirited take on The Blarney Stone closes things.
MooseTooth are Thomas East on vocals, keys and guitar, Jordan Maddox on lead guitar and vocals, Sam Purtee on bass, Michael Klein on saxophone and Aaron Randall on percussion. This year they plan to expand out of their home state, taking their live show regional, as well as giving us a new album. I can’t wait to hear it!
You can check out Live Vol. 1 below.
