Thursday, November 6, 2008

Chamberlain - The Moon My Saddle


The Moon My Saddle has been a favorite of mine for many years now and it just occurred to me that I've never posted it here. For those who don't know, Chamberlain is the band that evolved from 90's hardcore turned Emo-Core pioneers, Split Lip. On Fates Got a driver their final LP as Split Lip and first as Chamberlain, the band shed much of their mid-tempo hardcore tendencies in favor of something more melodic and emotional, with vocalist David Moore stepping up his game as a singer and lyricist. If Fates Got a Driver was their first foot out the door of hardcore, The Moon My Saddle was a complete lobotomy erasing any memory of that era. Not in a derogatory way of course. Honestly, I think The Moon My Saddle is a masterpiece and it serves as my favorite record the band did under either moniker.

I've always loved Chamberlain because they were able to capture the essence of the Midwest unlike any band I've ever heard. Within the 11 tracks on The Moon My Saddle you can envision the long drives through empty fields, hear the steps cut the silence in a town where everything closes at 7pm, sleeping with freight trains running in the distance and everything else that goes along with rural life and even I can relate to growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. Moore has a great ability to tell a detailed story through his lyrics. They are personal and intense, but relatable enough to make you feel like you are right there with him. Musically, they still exude the same fire as on Fates Got a Driver but in a more classic rock and roll way. The songs are fresh but instantly familiar, like you've been hearing them all your life. And if the term "bar rock" wasn't such a four letter word, they'd be the greatest bar rock band ever. Instead, they are simply a great band that never really got their due.

Chamberlain - The Moon My Saddle

5 comments:

Salmagundi Syncopation said...

Thank you so much for Chamberlain!

Stephen said...

No problem! I'm always psyched to hear from people that enjoy them as much as I do!

Anonymous said...

split lip t-shirt for sale

Stephen said...

Thanks for posting the link to that shirt. I wish I could wear XL's!

Unknown said...

Looooooove this album. I've been rockin' it for a long time now.