Perhapst Review: John Moen's Solo Project Debut

Decemberists Drummer’s Solo Album, Featuring Stephen Malkmus

Dec 29, 2008

Former Jicks drummer Moen branches out with Perhapst, a debut full-length where Sufjan Stevens meets Beatle-esque folk in a pure indie pop setting.

John Moen must surely be one of the busiest men in indie. He’s currently drumming for the US indie history-loving The Decemberists, and Robert Pollard’s (Guided By Voices) new venture The Boston Spaceships. His indie resume / CV includes stints with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Elliot Smith and Heatmiser, and ‘90s indie favourites the Dharma Bums as well as his own outfit The Maroons.

Somewhere amongst all these fingers and all these pies, Moen has found time to front his own new solo project, the self-titled full-length debut album from newly-formed Perhapst.

Hook-laden Indie Pop, Moen's Showcase

Perhapst’s live line-up features Chris Funk (also The Decemberists), Jonathan Drews (Sunset Valley), and Eric Lovre (Dharma Bums).

Styled as “quirky, catchy, hook-laden indie-pop, experimental folk-rock” (In Music We Trust), Perhapst is a showcase for Moen’s multi-instrumentalist talents and provides a pleasing array of creamy light vocals, dreamy harmonized melodies and catchy, head bobbing arrangements.

Postmodern Irony and Crunching Britpop

The album kicks off with ‘”Quote”’, a ‘60s-beat-driven, indie folk track that combines gentle acoustic minor-key guitars with a stomping light punk rhythm. The tongue-in-cheek postmodern cynicism of the “quote” refrain punctuates ‘oohh’ vocals and a skipping, dancing bass line.

‘Maryanne’ is upbeat and poppier, with some upper register vocal work that Mika himself would be proud of. Crunching Britpop guitars make an appearance with that same flitting but dominant bass line underscoring a punchy beat.

Malkmus' Pavement, Sufjan Stevens and Elliot Smith

The album quickly develops a signature sound that is classic ‘90s indie and not unlike Malkmus’ former indie outfit, Pavement. Moen’s drums have a distinct Beatle-esque quality and there are regular wisps of a Sufjan Stevens / Elliot Smith feel, particularly in the ethereal strains of ‘Hyper Planets’. Yet the album retains its individuality and holds its own.

Clunkier ‘Cruel Whisk’ is a little more basic, with predictable lullaby chord progressions and more of those tremulous ‘ooh’ vocals anchored irrepressibly by a dull strumming rhythm.

‘Incense Cone’ is filled with that classic retro ‘90s (yes, the 90s are now officially throwback territory) indiekid beat over smooth lilting vocals. 'Harbour' is a little stronger with a faster pace, heavier guitars, and handclap worthy (literally) melodies. It’s pure head-bobbing poppy pleasure. The two tracks together call to mind faint echoes of Air’s brilliant Moon Safari.

The folksy minor keys return in ‘Alamand’, whilst a sleepier, softly husky ‘Aren’t You Glowing’, a triumph reminiscent of Elliot Smith, draws the album to a close.

Long Awaited Album, Dave Grohl

This album has been a long time coming. Started while Moen was still with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (incidentally Malkmus guests on the album playing guitar), shelved and then eventually brought out to see the light of day, Perhapst is a well-marinated and solid debut from Moen, that resonates with a classic, at times exhilarating, indie-pop sound. While the album could benefit from greater variation in vocal style, and a little more confidence from the clearly tentative Moen, it’s infused with the hook-ridden melodies natural to an artist with Moen’s pedigree.

Is this the beginning of further self-styled ‘Dave Grohl’ experimentation for the drumming frontman and versatile musician? Perhapst. With a debut that sparkles like this, let’s hope so.