Moriarty - 'Gee Whiz But This Is A Lonesome Town' (Naive) Released 16/02/09

Like their namesake from Kerouac’s classic On The Road, Moriarty’s fantastically titled 'Gee Whiz But This Is A Lonesome Town' strides through a beat generation inspired journey of self-discovery and observational intellectualism. Thankfully, unlike some recently revived genres whose 21st Century imitators have failed to match those they ape so much, Moriarty, without a trace of mimicry, comfortably exude country-folk-jazz chic as authentic as any freight train hopping hobo.

With a sufficiently slack jawed double-bass, improvised household percussion and an assortment of thrift store instrumentation, the four brothers Moriarty provide the after-dark backing that lead vocalist Rosemary’s honey soaked vocals deserve. Yet despite employing homestead acoustic finger-picking alongside sympathetic and mournful harmonica, the windswept Americana that opening track ‘Jimmy’ brings to life belies Moriarty’s European connections. Formed in Paris, this pairing of continents brings with it added style and substance, ditching the folk shadow by cavorting between obscure and abstract; the sexually operatic ‘Lovelinesse’ tells of an opportunistic Irish priest taking advantage of our naked narrator and her “anchovy flapping freely in the wind”, ‘Animals Can’t Laugh’ combines swirling internal monologue with eerie eastern promise and the dark blues of ‘Motel’ introduces rattlesnake percussion and late night sushi to the picture postcard anonymity of an illuminated desert. More than worthy of individual merit they also showcase a band with an uncomplicated ability to mix and match an impressive collection of instruments (including suitcases, spoons, kazoo, Jew’s harp, thumb piano and typewriter to name a few) with spontaneous sounding lyrics and an ear for left field storytelling.