One
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
An instrumental guitar duo from Oregon, Moon And Bike, i.e. Boone Johnson and Michael Swanson, certainly take a less is more approach to their song craft, where the 10 tracks here unfold with electric and acoustic guitar flowing in and out of each other with precision and no shortage of melody.
“River” starts the album with warm acoustic guitar as a shimmering quality enters the sophisticated and organic musicianship, and “Nearer Sky” continues this graceful approach with both atmosphere and beauty amid playful strumming.
At the halfway point, “Roads” offers a hypnotic and cautious delivery that even flirts with post-rock, while “Solitude” displays intricate and melodic playing that’s as fascinating and it is spellbinding. “Native”, a particularly moving track, then emits a glorious, complicated peek into the sublime talent present.
“Star” and “Voyager” land at the end, where the former is a lush and emotive album highlight, and the latter exits on a dreamy, romantic finish of meticulous chemistry between the pair.
Boone and Swanson are able to produce absorbing and mesmerizing landscapes here with just their deft hands and boundless imaginations, as they deliver an effort that’s easy to admire, and even easier to get lost in.
Travels well with: Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter- Anticipation; Eli Winter- Unbecoming