Review: Major Moment- One Small Step

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Major Moment is a band who, in their bio, proclaims at being influenced by bands like Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, and 30 Seconds to Mars. Some of these influences may be present in very subtle ways in their music, but they are definitely hinting at something different on their new E.P., One Small Step. 

Major Moment are a band that has an intangible quality with quickly shifting melodies that are haunting in their execution. The first thing I thought was of all things, upon hearing the first track on the E.P., was The Alan Parsons Project's song "Time", a soft and haunting ballad- the first song on One Small Step is not a ballad, but the melodies do envelop you like a ballad would. I am reminded of bands like Anathema with the orchestral feeling and longing that comes about when listening to this.

The first song after the intro, "Before It's Too Late" starts out with a wash of keyboards, and any follower of this blog knows I'm a sucker for atmospheric songs and bands. Arpeggiated chords and a soft Pink Floydian atmosphere gives way to a more anthemic chorus. It's great to hear a band have two good songs in a row on a shorter release such as this. 

The third song "What It's Like" I didn't dig as much. It was a bit more standard, for a band that had more of a grasp on intertwining such esoteric melodies on the prior two tracks, this one was a little bit more average. 

The song "How Would You Know" is back to the melancholy sounds, though still not as stunning as the first two tracks. I do like the song though overall better than the one before. 

The final song,"The Release" is back to magnificence, it's a more experimental, but no less melodic track that features great keyboard arpeggios and piano.

Production is good for the most part. The sometimes sweeping instrumentation of the band does lend itself to be a complicated process as far as mixing at times and it's a benefit to the release that they nail a mix that is balanced enough to hear everything. 

Overall, the band has great potential. I would say their haunting and sometimes unconventional melodic bent, along with their melancholy and epic moments, if taken to another level, could really fill out a good full length album. I would say that along with their stated influences, this could appeal to fans of the more mellow strains of bands like the modern incarnation of Anathema, Steve Wilson, and others.

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