With the advance of off-the-shelf software and the Internet, just about anybody can produce and promote an album; of course, this doesn't mean that everyone should. But one listen to the Minneapolis-based indie trio The Sock Angels -- Daniel Moriarty (vocals, guitars, other sounds), Mandy Langenfeld (vocals, keys) and Martha Moriarty (violin, backing vocals)--makes me thank God for the growing ease of home recording technology! Their self-produced album Let's Be Friends demonstrates how the combination of a long Minnesota winter, natural talent, and an Apple laptop can yield an amazingly pleasing album chock full of simple melodies and engaging sounds.
This ten-song collection of mostly acoustic folk-rock tunes written by Daniel Moriarty contains drum-machine-enhanced arrangements that never scream, "Hey, I'm trying really hard to sound professional but am failing miserably!" Instead, everything -- from vocal harmonies and guitar effects to violin and keys -- sounds fluid and natural.
Like Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes) and David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), Moriarty has an oddly pleasing voice that may be an acquired taste for some; yet, his delivery is not forced or fake but, again...sublimely natural. He sings of shrugging off nightmares, the joy of sharing sunburns, and, well, nothing and nowhere ("Song About Nothing"). When the mood is light, you can hear Moriarty's wide grin through the microphone; when it's heavy, you can hear his eyes close in homage to the emotion.
The Sock Angels could definitely benefit from a quality producer and professional studio -- as any indie band could -- still, if they continue to create this caliber of music on their own, God bless 'em for it!
RIYL: Iron & Wine, milder Pedro the Lion, Nickel Creek, Violent Femmes
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Scott LakeQuiet, nearly bereft of reverb, simple and relaxed. These are the sounds of the Sock Angels. It's a self-recorded and produced disc by the twin couples Daniel and Martha Moriarty, and Andy and Mandy Langenfeld. Real-Audio files are available on their website for your listening pleasure. The instrumentation on the disc is sparse -- drum machine loops, acoustic guitar, programmed bass, and some…
