Moviola - Broken Rainbows
MOVIOLA RELEASES BRILLIANT ‘BROKEN RAINBOWS’
Columbus, Ohio-based indie/Americana outfit Moviola recently released a new album, Broken Rainbows, via Anyway Records.
Moviola | Photo: Camille Housh
Talking about Broken Rainbows, Jerry Dannemiller says, “This album feels like a culmination of our collective wits.”
Jake Housh shares, “There is a certain directness to it. The songwriting is more assured and topical, matched only by a clarity in the production.”
Made up of Greg Bonnell, Jerry Dannemiller, Ted Hattemer, Jake Housh, and Scotty Tabachnick, Housh put the band together in 1993. Initially, an indie quartet pumping out noisy, fuzzed-out music, over time Moviola metamorphosed into an artistic collective of five members, all of whom contribute equally to the band’s sound.
“We’ve learned to keep our ego in check and bring each other’s songs to life,” Jake explains. “Everyone plays other instruments, and all efforts are in service of the songs.”
A gem of an album, Broken Rainbows is marvelously wrought and should top many lists of Best Americana albums of the year.
Moviola has shared the stage with Flaming Lips, Red Red Meat, Califone, Superchunk, Bettie Serveert, Grifters, Acetone, Wussy, the Clean, Guided By Voices, and Dub Narcotic Sound System.
Encompassing 11-tracks, highlights on the album include “Expat,” a deliciously sleazy country-rock tune full of gritty guitars and twangy vocals backed by luminous harmonies. The title track, reminiscent of the luscious drawling music of The Band, features a glowing organ and dreamy, rasping vocal tones.
“Go With You” rides a tasty, undulating rhythm painted over by drifting guitar riffs, gleaming and sinuous. Bonnell’s lush voice infuses the lyrics with soft, indulgent tones, giving the lyrics easy quixotic nuances.
“Orders Of The Day” conjures up memories of Poco, pushing out low-slung swaying colors riding a gentle rhythmic pulse. A buttery steel guitar infuses the tune with warm, mellow surfaces as velvety voices harmonize in polychromatic unison.
“Which Way Did You Run” blends hints of reggae with soul-laced R&B and alt-country savors. The popping bassline enhances the gorgeous “aah aah” harmonies. “Stripes and Stars” rolls out on tender folk textures topped by rambling, hoarse voices accompanied by treacly harmonies.
A gem of an album, Broken Rainbows is marvelously wrought and should top many lists of Best Americana albums of the year.
