By Jim Rowland
Emerging as key players in the Boston underground rock scene of the 1980s as a hardcore punk power-trio, Moving Targets may not have achieved major commercial success, but remain a revered and highly respected outfit. Still led by main man Kenny Chambers, the band reformed in 2018 with a revamped line-up, and new album ‘Red Eyes’ is the fourth album to be released since that reformation.
Recorded with J Robbins (Jawbox) at the helm, who also adds some percussion and backing vocals, ‘Red Eyes’ continues the Moving Targets rebirth. Kenny Chambers’ song writing is of an extremely high standard throughout, marrying a strong melodic sensibility with a tough, punchy rock/alt-rock/punk rock approach that never veers into pop-punk territory.
The influence of Bob Mould, whether it be Husker Du or his subsequent solo work, looms large on melodic, punchy and catchy tracks like ‘Saw Too Much’, ‘Superficial World’, ‘Lost And Found’ and ‘Regrets’, whilst ‘Fly Away’ and the slower, grinding and hypnotic ‘Surface’ have a darker tone but don’t skimp on the melody. The outstanding ‘Nine Lives’ is an up-tempo belter with a hint of Nirvana to it, and indeed outside of the early 80’s post-punk bedrock there are hints of bands like Screaming Trees, Afghan Whigs and Dinosaur Jr to my ears across the album.
The album’s two instrumental cuts, firstly the power-packed and dark title track and then the brighter ‘King Zen’, are almost progressive in places and certainly highlight the high standard of musicianship this band possesses, with Chambers more than ably assisted by the rock solid rhythm section of Emilien Catalano and Yves Thibault.
From the production to the song writing to the performance, ‘Red Eyes’ is a power-packed album that oozes quality.
- ‘Red Eyes‘ is out now.