A lot changed in the four years between Pneuma and Moving Mountains’ second record.
Most notably, what was once a studio-only two-piece was now a proper full band. And it shows. Compositionally, Waves has a heft that its predecessor lacked. But that comes at a little bit of a cost.
Where Pneuma juxtaposed glistening post rock atmospherics against urgent hardcore-influenced indie rock. It wavered between its two poles with a reckless abandon that favored passion over conventional wisdom. And it worked.
Waves on the other hand pushes harder into a more conventioanl post-hardcore. Gone are the Appleseed Cast-esque ambient segues. At no point does the group give into the same post rock indulgences that created the more serene moments of Pneuma.
But what it lacks in youthful experimentalism, it makes up in solid songwriting, gorgeous sonics, and powerful arrangements.
Crushing chords and pummeling drum riffs are paired with haunting strings and brilliant hooks delivered by Gregory Dunn’s now-much-more-mature voice. The result is an album that’s very different from its predecessor, but no less rewarding. In fact, the brooding “Tired Tiger” may be the best song they ever put to tape.
“Life Is A Chase Dream (And I’m Still Having Chase Dreams)” opens the record with an urgent, ripping post-hardcore anthem. “The Cascade” shifts between rapid, glockenspiel-aided verses and huge crashing choruses. “Always Only For Me” plays on with jangling guitars, growling cello, and delicate vocals before exploding into one of the heaviest moments in the band’s catalog. The closer, “Full Circle” shifts from affirming anthem to a string-laden contemplation on the song’s melodic motif.
Among the band’s catalog, it often feels like Waves was overlooked, treated most commonly as either a disappointing follow up to a promising experimental debut or an only-partially-formed shadow of the self-titled to come. But with its rich sonic palette, hard hitting riffs, and solid songwriting, this deserves just as much attention as the band’s other records.