HALF A BAND – Moody Weather (2026) – Digital FLAC

Description

FLAC version of Half a Band‘s album, Moody Weather.

The major tone of the album is rather minor and quite dark. Thus, the linguistic delicacy and the gray shades of the sea spray take on meaning in the introductory and concluding tracks: “Moody Weather” and “Gloomy Weather” which both have the same meaning at first glance. However, one gradually sink into darkness (gloomy) starting from a mood of unstable and changing background (moody), like the different photographs taken by Olivier Bonneau which illustrate the cover of Moody Weather. In the same way, the few lyrics – the vocal melodies get the congruent part here – alternate between contemplation (“The Sea the Night”), introspection (“Lonesome Sailor”) and trompe l’oeil optimism (“Drifting Away in the Night” and its subtle use of Trumpian “fight, fight, fight”). The writing of this album is therefore both the product of foggy winter nights in the heart of Auvergne, of an introspective quest in the anxiety-provoking climate of international news and the fruit of daydreams contemplating the sea, at night, somewhere between the English Channel and the Irish Sea.
One can thus detect reminiscences of training with the Scousers and various influences, ranging from the “maritime” inspired songs of Marillion (“Ocean Cloud”, “Estonia”, «”Easter”…) to those of Rick Wright, including cosmic electro and the dark Mellotrons of the old Genesis. The sounds of the ensemble therefore fall in between the very seventies vibe of Tales From Claustrophobic Horizons and Deep in the Night, which was an obvious tribute to the progressive pop of the eighties. An album to be listened, like a gentle backwash, hypnotic and captivating.

Released on March 27, 2026

Written and recorded by HALF A BAND in 2024 & 2025 at Under the Stairs, Vic-le-Comte, Fr; additional recordings and mixing at The Attic Room, Riom, Fr
HALF A BAND is Olivier BONNEAU:
electric and acoustic guitar, Analog Lab Keys, Mopho, Prophet, Roland JV1010, bass, drums, vocals
Artistic Direction and additional ideas: Henri VAUGRAND
Production & distribution: VALLIS LUPI
Catalog number: VL09
Photographs and sleeve design: Olivier BONNEAU