Power of Moonlite is a darkly symbolic album with an intellectual flair. The wonderful
gothic imagery and lyrics that draw from writers such as William Blake and Edgar Allen
Poe adds a depth to the album which is intensified by the unique sound.
Released by the same record label as Rancid and Nerve Agents, they have a distinct punk
sound with a gothic theme. The use of a stand up bass instead of an electric bass give
them a rockabilly influence kind of like a more abrasive version of The Stray Cats.
Though they aren’t doing much strutting, Tigers don’t strut!
Darkness is the theme and all the feelings and images that go along with it. Tiger Army
addresses such feelings as despair, spirituality, anger, loss, and resentment.
The imagery that Tiger Army incurs is classic. They talk of a hopeless lover walking
through a graveyard to find the ghost of his lost love, cupid shooting an arrow at a
hesitant and angry victim, gaining strength from the ancient wisdom of the moon, and
walking through a forest as the seasons change. The power of Moonlite is a romanticized
look at the deeper and dreamier parts of the psyche.
The song “Annabel Lee” is especially impressive for it is based on a poem by Edgar
Allen Poe. A man cannot forget his lost lover and begs to be released from being “forever
trapped by the memories in the sepulchre of his heart.” Nick 13’s vocals bring the song to
life with his pleading intonations.
“Orchard” features a slide guitar plus rising and falling falsetto vocals, which gives it a
relaxed country music sound. The song “Under Saturn’s Shadow” was a song I could truly relate
to since I’m a Capricorn (which is ruled by Saturn). It talks of trying to find the light at
the end of the tunnel but it gets harder day by day. Finally you get to the point that you can’t
function and you feel powerless to fight it but you must wait, because like a shadow, it will pass.
Power of Moonlite is a nice surprise! The music is melodic, expressive, and driving. The
lyrics are well written and poetic. The intellectual spin on the lyrics was extremely refreshing
and it sparked my imagination. The theme of the moon in all it’s ancient wisdom invoking your soul
to rise up and gain strength is a powerful image.
If you like the idea of combining The Stray Cats, Poe, and Bad Religion, this would be your album!
