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The Moment

This Is The Moment (2003)
Arms Reach

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Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 5th 2003

Finally, the lyrical mastermind behind the criminally underappreciated Gods Reflex has returned, and not a minute too soon. Bassist/vocalist Zach Newman[formerly of the 'Flex] knows how to write moody, introspective lyrics more akin to Blake Schwarzenbach than Chris Carraba, and finding a lyricist such as this is getting harder and harder.

The Moment, also featuring members of defunct Illinois bands As Trumpets Fade and Uniform Pants, would best be described as a sort of Gods Reflex v2.0. When you have the same vocalist producing the same quality lyrics, it's hard to escape one's musical past. But the music is progressing, step by step. Drummer Eliott Porter incorporates electronic percussion [and the occasional random bleep and bloop] to supplement his tasteful yet driving drumming, taking the songs from your basic "emo-rock" genre to another plane. Guitarist Nate Kirschmann's chops are solid, and his sound definitely fills up the songs, considering the band is only a three-piece. His guitar melodies are never too busy, and he always allows Newman's tasteful basslines to shine through the mix as well. Kirshmann's occasional keyboard parts [like in "Dreamers and Alchemists"] are a welcome addition to the power trio's sound.

The biggest downside to this EP is the recording itself - it sounds little more than a glorified demo, with the drums being very quiet most of the time. That grittiness works in favor of them in some tracks, though, like the opener "If Only We Were Saints." If one song on the EP were to earn the official "sounds like Gods Reflex" comparison, this one would be it, but that is nothing but a compliment.

The Moment has quite a bit of potential, and while their live show is still a bit shaky, I still eagerly anticipate seeing them again and their impending full-length.

MP3
Let's Blame Our Honesty On Alcohol

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Anonymous (October 19, 2005)

Love the band, Hell Nate is my second cousin so I really got respect for them. Glad to see them on a website other than their own!

Anonymous (June 17, 2004)

hmm what to say about The moment.. what i should really be doing is giving my opinion about the talented band members of this unique but over cliched constructed band. we have this band, with four members of the group which includ zach pj elliott and nate... who can add multiple sounds in very distinct catagories, and combind them all together to have an amazing sound. and with their new addition to the group, pj; theyre way more hardcore now than they ever were. but lets go back a second... nate.. yes, the guitarist/back up vocals of the group....
a strapping young, attractive man... who happens to be single, (uh oh ladies, hes on the hunt!) among the other members has a nother passion other than his music. He is a math teacher. He enjoys intense bike riding on alpine and riverside, drinking*** and just meeting new people. this band has momentum, and drive. lets keep the moment a live!

im shuttin the fuck up now.

Anonymous (June 14, 2004)

an EP filled with emotion and thought filled lyrics over a musical masterpeice is the only way to justify this collection of tracks. adding a live show that only gets more energetic and enlightening as they accumulate is definetely frosting on the cake. one experience at a show and the purity of making music in these fellows will become quite obvious. if the moment does not make it big, something along the way went seriously wrong.

Anonymous (June 6, 2004)

hahahahaha the moment rules. see them live and then you can say they suck.

Anonymous (September 19, 2003)

It's fine if someone does not like the name, but you really have to appreciate it when people in the punk rock community still use "gay" as a derogatory word. Do me a favor and never come to a show.Nathan Kirschmann

bboyalpha (September 8, 2003)

Is their name an Indian Summer reference?????

Anonymous (September 8, 2003)

Whenever the lead singer farts, all you can smell is KY & man juice.

Anonymous (September 8, 2003)

Gayest emo band name ever. Oh wait.... Is that redundant?

Anonymous (September 7, 2003)

i saw gods reflex play at Park's cd release show way back in '01 here in springfield. good stuff

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

The mp3 reminds me a bit of the Postal Service

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

if you want good lyrics, go get background music by american nightmare (give up the ghost)

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

this is good, but the braves are better. and i'm drunk and on the internet. lethal combination

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

why are there 30 bands who have found a way to incorporate there name into the title of there record. Like, was it too hard to think up a name and a title? Or is the cheap theatric of it really that cool?

wyzo

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

You can order the CD at either armsreachrecordings.com or redlinedistribution.com

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

That Mp3 was grand. Does anyone know where I can get this EP?