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CD
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EZRDR 169CD
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"There are very few albums in the psych/punk/hard rock/private presses strata that garner the sort of universal awe and accolades that Fraction's almighty Moon Blood album does, and even fewer records in the world that could be dubbed 'Christian Rock' incur such fierce devotion. Indeed some records just meteorically lift themselves out any genre tag with brilliance and sheer defiance -- and Moon Blood is surely one of them. Based in LA, Fraction was a ragged collection of working-class musicians -- the line-up was ringleader Jim Beach (vocals), Don Swanson (lead guitar), Curt Swanson (drums), Victor Hemme (bass), and Robert Meinel (rhythm guitar). Amazingly the recording sessions for the album were recorded similarly on the fly. Particularly noteworthy is Beach's vocals -- as commonly stated, the spirit of Jim Morrison is conjured in his deep baritone, which gives way to unparalleled pained howls, at times bathed in delay which trails into the abyss. Fascinatingly enough, Beach cites the much punker Love as his fave LA band over the Doors, and also gives influence-nods to proto-everything rockers The Yardbirds and to Dylan, whose dark word tapestries surely inspired Beach's lyrics. Whatever the case, the man clearly has a vision, as even the stark sleeve concept is Beach's own. The other members contributions shouldn't be underappreciated though -- drummer Curt Swanson keeps things at a constant simmer, and then boils over when the whole band launches into snarling glory. The band and LP as a whole equals something indescribably intense from start to finish -- comparisons to the Detroit late '60s high-energy bands like The Stooges and MC5 abound, as well as the sort of late '60s damaged spirit lurking in biker clubs and disgruntled Vietnam vets. The song cycle on side one of the LP in particular cuts to the emotional core, with severely charged dark lyrics like 'Extend your thumbs and burn the darkness out of her.' Which leads to the Christian aspect -- it often can confuse listeners. The Fraction/Beach world of religion is complex and perhaps a bit pagan/sinister than most -- fire and brimstone, temptation, and the truth-seeker being burned by this hell on earth. The album was pressed in a run of but a few hundred to little attention in the day, but now inferior bootlegs flood the marketplace, and originals of Moonblood command thousands of dollars. So enjoy this all-inclusive reissue."
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LP
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EZRDR 169LP
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LP version. "There are very few albums in the psych/punk/hard rock/private presses strata that garner the sort of universal awe and accolades that Fraction's almighty Moon Blood album does, and even fewer records in the world that could be dubbed 'Christian Rock' incur such fierce devotion. Indeed some records just meteorically lift themselves out any genre tag with brilliance and sheer defiance -- and Moon Blood is surely one of them. Based in LA, Fraction was a ragged collection of working-class musicians -- the line-up was ringleader Jim Beach (vocals), Don Swanson (lead guitar), Curt Swanson (drums), Victor Hemme (bass), and Robert Meinel (rhythm guitar). Amazingly the recording sessions for the album were recorded similarly on the fly. Particularly noteworthy is Beach's vocals -- as commonly stated, the spirit of Jim Morrison is conjured in his deep baritone, which gives way to unparalleled pained howls, at times bathed in delay which trails into the abyss. Fascinatingly enough, Beach cites the much punker Love as his fave LA band over the Doors, and also gives influence-nods to proto-everything rockers The Yardbirds and to Dylan, whose dark word tapestries surely inspired Beach's lyrics. Whatever the case, the man clearly has a vision, as even the stark sleeve concept is Beach's own. The other members contributions shouldn't be underappreciated though -- drummer Curt Swanson keeps things at a constant simmer, and then boils over when the whole band launches into snarling glory. The band and LP as a whole equals something indescribably intense from start to finish -- comparisons to the Detroit late '60s high-energy bands like The Stooges and MC5 abound, as well as the sort of late '60s damaged spirit lurking in biker clubs and disgruntled Vietnam vets. The song cycle on side one of the LP in particular cuts to the emotional core, with severely charged dark lyrics like 'Extend your thumbs and burn the darkness out of her.' Which leads to the Christian aspect -- it often can confuse listeners. The Fraction/Beach world of religion is complex and perhaps a bit pagan/sinister than most -- fire and brimstone, temptation, and the truth-seeker being burned by this hell on earth. The album was pressed in a run of but a few hundred to little attention in the day, but now inferior bootlegs flood the marketplace, and originals of Moonblood command thousands of dollars. So enjoy this all-inclusive reissue."
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