Providing their second excellent single of the summer are "April Moon" with "Second Guess". If their first was upbeat folk then this is more of a rootsy guitar sound which proves to be as good as it is different from it's predecessor. It's a mixture of crisp percussion mixed with multiple guitar riffs and it's easy to see why the publicity for this single references the Rolling Stones "Tumbling Dice" - which may seem a bold claim but by the end of the tune it is easy to see where that comparison comes from .
The opening riff gently invites you in, initially it seems almost acoustically folky but with each round another guitar seems to become prominent, electric guitars then provide more meat on the bones along with a sturdy back beat that will be almost ever present.
It is Jason Moon on vocal duties, his voice on this track has the required raspy world weariness to do it justice. Initially things seem quite cheerful
"Met my friend out yesterday
He was bouncin’, he had a lot to say
His life was falling into place
He had a great big smile on his face"
However the second verse paints Jason in a different light, rather than feeling good for his friend he'd do anything to take his place. It's a selfish streak that will run through the song.
"A smile I could have traded for mine
The line never crossed my mind
I’d have held him back so I could be the best
But now I’m taking my second guess
Now I’m taking my second guess"
The next verse hints at the troubles that may be dogging our narrator, the sort of troubles that a quick break away cannot fix. Also top marks to April Moon for the lovely touch of referencing a song within a song - fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" alluded to without being specifically named.
Cold rain falling on my face
We grab our tickets to a sunny place
But just like sweet Joni’s song
Those old gray clouds seem to follow along
When they block your light, what do you do? what do you say?
Take a bottle to the basement til they float away
We never used to care about making a mess
But now we’re taking our second guess"
There's an interesting middle section where two guitars are vying for your attention, each playing their own individual line The final verse initially starts in a subdued vein, with mainly just Jason, the impending doom edging ever closer with each line, before kicking back in to a full band on the fourth line.
"3 o’clock in the afternoon
I can already see that sideways moon
It's pulling you and it's pushing me
We can’t decide what we wanna be
It won’t be too long now
Until the old rough beast comes a-chasin’ me down
Yesterday I would have stopped to rest
But now I’m taking my second guess
Now I’m taking my second guess"
The closing section is an extended groove out that again evokes that Jagger & Co feeling - it's so good you could have easily had a few more minutes of it!
With April Moon mainly operating North of Watford #TEAMw21 have yet to see them play in the flesh but these recent singles and indeed their fine back catalogue have got them firmly on our "Must Get To See" list. For those of you in the Liverpool area, that chance will come very soon - with details of an imminent Liverpool show detailed below.
Ticket link for Aug 6, Liverpool Arts Bar: https://www.likemindedproductions.co.uk/store/backend/april-moon