Sean Moore
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Sean Moore

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Band Classical Singer/Songwriter

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""Signs of Potential Life" Album Review"

It's not surprising that one of extremities of the local band sweethearts, Dodger and The Heathens has his own unique "umph" for Orlando. Even so, Sean Moore's Signs of Potential Life goes beyond what could have been imagined.

The three-year project serves almost as a soundtrack to a collaboration of thoughts, and every complexity involved (Even the occasional schizophrenic themes a la Brian Wilson). Even despite the darker colorations throughout the album, Moore still laces in a sensation of patience and tranquility with his floating melodies and tightly woven harmonies. It is evident that he's learned from the best, and has indulged his ears and experience in a variety of genres.

Signs of Potential Life is a carefully layered timbre collage. What's even more impressive is Moore's well-rounded talent with instrumentation. The wide variety provides wonderfully distinctive sounds for each track. He also has quite a knack for painting rhythms and beats with simple layering of ambient sounds and mouth smacks. Admit it, a tasteful combination of glockenspiel, tongue clicks, and coughs are pretty rad.

The translation is kept intact even with Moore's live shows. His music presents a truthful intimacy with the audience. However, Jeff Ilgenfritz's (aka Mumpsy) addition of a full drum set on particular tracks during a live show left a small void of additional rhythmic drive when listening back to the album. But at the same time, the barren basement feel heard in "Visibility Anxiety" is exactly what makes the album beautifully authentic. Moore's lyrics deal with both raw subjects common to anyone who's suffered through loss as in "Coughing in the Clouds (In Our Love)", and even for the hesitant, doubtful artist in "Poetic Signals From Fruitless Laborers."

The album's colorful vocal harmonies reflect a refreshing reminder of the Beach Boys. But let me emphasize that "Signs of Potential Life" is no Pet Sounds 2007. The combination of respect and inspiration drawn from the unfiltered masters of yesterday, the talent of an open-minded and classically trained musician, and pure sound and unpredictability create a honest and respectable album that can be hard to come by these days.


Story by Alisha Torrealba

Source: http://killerpop.com/whatup/0307/moore.html - killerpop.com


""Signs of Potential Life" Album Review"

Almost all the members of the Heathens are working on solo projects or other collaborations outside the band, and violinist Sean Moore's new album borrows nothing from the Heathens' twangy DNA.

Signs of Potential Life is a lovely, cerebral collection of introspective ballads that showcases Moore's considerable talent on guitars, keyboards, string bass, trumpet, violin, vocals, percussion and even ukulele. A funky, jazz edge emerges at points in the understated "Ticket Stubs and Spent Love," while there's a grand vision at the heart of "Collection Expense for Conversing in Codes" that suggests a Brian Wilson infatuation.

Maybe at least one obvious rock or country tune would have been fun, but these gentle songs are built to last.

Review by Jim Abbott, Orlando Sentinel Music Critic - Orlando Sentinel


"OLE Compilation CD Review (Post Records)"

Maybe the most distinguished track, Sean Moore's "Visibility Anxiety," opens with xylophones and acoustic guitar. Moore's lyrics blanket the single with softness and sincerity. The warm recording and overall intensity of the well-mastered piece left me wanting more.

Review by Aimee Lecours, Orlando Citybeat Music Critic
- orlandocitybeat.com


""Signs of Potential Life" Album Review"

Firstly, I have to admit to not being the biggest of fans of singer/songwriter albums. As the rest of the world fell over themselves praising Sufjan Stevens, I was left wondering what all the fuss was about. Having said that, though, there is a select few artists that have managed to break down my singer/songwriter barriers. Jeff Buckley's "Grace" is one of my all-time favourite albums, while Elliot Smith has the ability to make even the most pedestrian of acoustic guitar and vocal tracks sound completely heart-breaking.

So it is a pleasure to hear that Sean Moore's vocals, on this debut solo album, has a similar endearing quality to that of Smith. Not only that, on opener "Reluctance Towards A Force That Pulls" he displays a keen understanding of the pop hook. You cannot help but be whisked away by the sheer euphoria of his multi-tracked vocals and bittersweet melodies. It provides a strong start to the album and will have you humming along all day long.

The Orlando, Florida based musician plays in a number of bands, it is any wonder how he found the time to record an album that is chock full of ideas and production touches. The 3 years Moore spent making "Signs of Potential Life", seems like time well spent. This isn't just a musician with a voice and an acoustic guitar, "Coughing In The Clouds", for example, touches on the epic, psychedelic benchmarks set by The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds". It turns from the simplest of numbers into a gorgeous, cinematic symphony in the blink of an eye. The coughing sounds, disguised as percussion, nods to the work of Brian Wilson.

At times, however, "Signs of Potential Life" feels slightly too over-blown for my tastes, the sheer volume of ideas throughout ensures they are almost bursting to get into the mix. "Collection Expense For Conversing In Codes" jumps all over the place and loses focus towards the end. "Ticket Stubs & Spent Love", on the other hand, is equally as schizophrenic but there is an alluring quality to Moore's vocals and the psychedelic horn section, violins and glockenspiel work a treat.

But then, the basement aura of "Visibilty Anxiety" is different and provides a song with a real lo-fi charm. Starting with some lovely guitar-picking, Moore's richly textured vocals emit yet another infectious melody, proving he can operate in a stripped down atmosphere too. It is the perfect closer for an album that literally explodes to life from the get go.

While "Signs of Potential Life" recalls The Beach Boys on a number of tracks, there is number of poignant moments wrapped up with gorgeous vocal melodies, that even the most stone-hearted person could enjoy this one.

Rating = 70%

Review by Michael Henaghan - boringmachines.blogspot.com


Discography

2005 - Funbalaya Summer Sampler (Independent)
2006 - Post Records & Friends Present: OLE! Compilation (Post Records 011)
2007 - Signs of Potential Life LP (Post Records 013)

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Bio

Sean Moore was the ripe age of five when his parents enforced mandatory violin lessons. Although at the time, he was frustrated and unwilling to accept this, it turned out to be just the jump start Sean needed to ensure his now-prominent classicist approach to songwriting.