IN REVIEW: Moist - "End of the Ocean"

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Coming just over seven years after their last album (the post-reunion Glory Under Dangerous Skies) and nearly a full calendar year after the release of lead single Tarantino, the rollout for End of the Ocean has been long and arduous for fans of the Canadian rock veterans. Due to the myriad of frustrating delays in touring and promotion that a global pandemic brings (End of the Ocean was originally announced in April with a planned October release), the excitement level for hearing Moist's fifth album has been inevitably dampened somewhat. Four singles had been rolled out over 2021, meaning nearly half of the album is already known by anyone who was paying attention.

Thankfully, the remaining tracks blend with those previously released to form another solid outing for Moist. Once again produced by guitarist Mark Makoway, End of the Ocean is a concise and rock-centric nostalgia blast with the kind of energy that begs for the band's oft-delayed tour dates to finally be made good upon (get out of the way, Covid!).

There isn't really anything surprising here (and not just because 40% of the record was already out there by September), but you didn't come to Moist in 2022 for surprises anyway; from leadoff track Ammunition through closer (and latest single) Dying for a Light in the Dark, the tunes carry an anthemic quality that bring the album a little closer to the band's '90s trilogy while maintaining the no-muss no-fuss rock chops that they displayed on Glory Under Dangerous Skies. Of course, you already know the dark energy and melodic prowess packed by the singles, three of which are up in the front half. There are no new revelations in the context of the album, but nothing sounds out of place or unwelcome here.

So then, most of the previously unheard material lies on the record's back half; probably for that reason alone, I personally found the B-side to be more exciting. It doesn't hurt that the choruses on The Millions and Party's Over burst from the speakers and make me wonder how these weren't offered up as singles in the runup to release. High On It stands out too but due to its starkness, David Usher's voice swirling in echo and delay around a lone piano and a lightly plucked guitar; this one begs to be the song they play leading into the encore.

Overall, End of the Ocean might not change anyone's opinion of Moist; there's plenty to love for fans and nothing that flies too far of expectation. That said, even if this record doesn't do much to push the band forward, it does recognize their strengths and display them with abundancy. 

January 14, 2022 • Known Accomlplice
Highlights Put the Devil On It • The Millions • Party's Over

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