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Todd Warner Moore

Love & Change

Review by Gary Hill

I reviewed a previous set from this artist. I liked that one a lot, but thought that perhaps a few songs could have been pulled from the disc to make it stronger. Well, this new one is more successful. There isn't a song here I would have left off the list. It never gets tired or redundant. This is just particularly strong folk based music. It's a satisfying listening experience from start to finish.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2019  Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2019.

Track by Track Review
Song Universal
Acoustic guitar brings this into being. The cut works out from there with a rich folk meets country arrangement. The strings lend some real magic. The cut is powerful and dramatic. I dig the backing vocals and the guitar fills a lot.
Golden Life
This has a bit more pace to it. It's energetic, but doesn't lose any magic or charm with the faster pace. This does have a lighter, more playful feeling.
Everybody Sings
I love the serious edge to the guitar sound on this. The cut is a bit more powered up, a bit like a folk rock tune. The vocals make me think of Cat Stevens just a bit. This is a potent cut that's one of the highlights of the set.
Wide Open
The strings bring a lot of emotion and style to this piece. It's a rather soaring folk song. It's also quite effective, if a bit short.
Right On Time
Slower, and a bit more country music based, I like the duet on this. The slide guitar fills are so cool, too. They are the main element bringing the country reference, but they are almost psychedelic at the same time. This is another strong one.
See That Way
More lighthearted and fun, the interplay of the two voices is again great. The strings bring something special, too. Cat Stevens is a good reference on this one, as well.
Love and Change
The title track is an evocative folk cut that has a lot going for it. There are hints of both country and bluegrass music on this one.
Goodbye on a Sunny Day
A gentler cut, the slide guitar brings country to this number. The vocal duet is so classy. The cool little break-out jam later in the track is a highlight, not just of this tune, but the whole set.
When Stones Float

Dramatic folk rock is the concept here. I love the lyrics and the strings. The vocal performance is among the most passionate of the set, too.

Kiss Each Day
Bouncy and fun, this folk tune has some great guitar fills. The energy and groove are both cool.
Too Late
Mellow folk music with a moving duet is the idea behind this song. It's a standout number.
Move In
There is more country in the mix here, both from the slide guitar and the violin (or should I say "fiddle?"), but also from the vocals. This is a fun number. I like the variety it brings.
Right As Rain
It could be argued that this is the most effective duet of the whole set. Musically there is a mellow, but almost soaring, folk prog, vibe to the cut. It has a real majesty and beauty to it. Still, the vocals sell this one. That tells you how strong that duet really is.
 
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