OVER THE MOON - REVIEWS

From Tweekitten.com:

"To say it is criminal how Graeme Downes, resident god in the Verlaines, has been overlooked over the 15 or so years of his recording career is probably criminal for being such an understatement. Where else but on Verlaines records could you find such literate poetic lyrics, perfectly structured tunes (thanks to a PHD in musicology) and caustic, dripping passion in every chorus? Nowhere!

This is the 6th Verlaines lp and the best the band has come up with in the 90s. All Verlaines lps have sort of had a different palette, the folk lp, the rokk lp, the dramatic lp, the garage lp, well this one would have to be tagged the pop lp as it is smoother in spots than their records have been in the past and really easy to sing along to without coughing up a lung trying to match Graeme's intensity.

'Reasons for Leaving' is not only the best song here but one of the best in their history. 'Perfect Day' is not so humbly perfect and 'Feather Fell' is just sublime with Graeme's trademark acerbic rants towards the loves of his life. The professor has done it again :o). "

Reviewed by Keith Machlachlan



From All Music Guide:

"A one-time Flying Nun act, [Graeme] Downes' Verlaines produced some of the most sophisticated indie pop of the '80s while on the label, and made it to America all too ahead of their time. With Over the Moon, the Los Angeles production replaces the antipodean garage that gave their albums Bird Dog and Hallelujah All the Way Home such a distinctive character, which highlighted the eccentric songwriting sensibilities of Downes. His only peers in the craft being Go-Betweens frontman Robert Forster and fellow Kiwi Martin Phillips of the Chills for absolute mastery of the art. The collection here has all of the distinctive traits that made the Verlaines so special -- quirky lyrics, Baroque string arrangements, and incessant guitar jangle, but somehow Over the Moon sounds a little lackluster with time. Ironically, though, it contains some of his most developed lyric writing and arranging skills, proving that it takes more than production trends to overshadow such genius."

Reviewed by Sylvie Harrison