‘Pneuma’, Greek for “breathe” is possibly one of the most fitting titles for an album that I have ever come across; Moving Mountains the most fitting title for a band. Through merely making the music they want they completely re-define what making music and being in a band is supposed to be about. This is looking back to the bands of the early 90’s, the passion, dedication, emotion, connection; it’s all here in abundance.
Dynamically this is one of the greatest albums ever conceived, it ebbs and flows, from the shallows of sweet, picked guitar lines to the effervescent, near climactic highs. The latter emerge from seemingly nowhere and before you know it have taken you away into a state of mind that no song, no band has ever done before. Moving Mountains are masters of this, everything is so complexly arranged into a perfection that’s verging on an addiction. Everything has its place and every little piece contributes to the overall mastery of this album. To listen is to invoke a sense of detachment from the world around, put headphones on and you’ll be lost for hours.
The beauty of ‘Sol Solis’ is undoubtedly a high point, its first acoustic chords emerging out of a beautifully atmospheric ending of the previous song, ambience becomes raw passion. It’s almost like waking from the most amazing dream to find something even better laying right next to you; the sentiment isn’t portrayed by the band, but for me that’s what it means. I feel an instant connection with this song, and it serves to affirm the appeal and the brilliance of Moving Mountains. For me, the stand out lyric of this is the best point of the album: “You, you’re like the sun and I am earth, together we’re one. But today, your fire will die and I’ll grow cold without sunlight.” The sincerity of the metaphor is glorious, it’s a humbling experience and serves to justify everything.
The grace of this album is beautifully portrayed through every last sound emitting from your speakers or headphones. Moving Mountains justify themselves to the very end, they are masters of their craft. Offering an alternative to the overly commercialised modern music scene, to take their journey is to make a connection with music that so many people will completely overlook many times. ‘Pneuma’ is the sort of record which allows a band to immediately connect with thousands of people, the sort of band which is rarely broken, put simply, this band have the potential to change your life.
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Moving Mountains - Pneuma
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