Search - Mr. Airplane Man :: Moanin

Moanin' for M.A.M.

Kathy Fennessy | 10/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The record Mr. Airplane fans have been waiting for arrived with Moanin'. Red Lite, their second full-length and first for Sympathy, was a rough and ready platter of tangy originals and tasteful covers, but it was compromised by fuzzy sound.



Fortunately, the production is clearer and brighter on their Detroit-recorded follow-up, and singer/guitarist Margaret Garrett's strong vocals pack more punch. There's also more of a girl group sound to the poppier numbers, like "Not Living at All," which is reminiscent of the Shangri-Las or Thee Headcoatees.



Overall, Garrett and drummer Tara McManus' grasp of melody and songcraft is more evident than before. Although Mr. Airplane Man took their name from a song by Howlin' Wolf, don't be fooled--they aren't just blues aficionados with good taste, great record collections, and cool friends (like Jeffrey Evans and Greg "Oblivian" Cartwright, who handled production duties), but capable and confident musicians in their own right. With the soulful slink of Moanin', they join the proud local garage-rock tradition spearheaded by DMZ in the 1970s and the Lyres in the 1980s (both featuring Jeff "Monoman" Conolly, who continues to kick out the jams with both outfits)."

Mr Airplane Man takes off ...

J. Ball | Paris France | 01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Margaret and Tara of Mr Airplane Man are talented musicians, they have a huge culture in Blues and Southern music.. the sounds here are sometimes reminding me of the swamps in Florida or of the sweaty atmosphere at the Marquee in London on sold out nights. This cd is called "Moanin'" and the word is to be taken in its bluesy meaning. The ghost of Jeffrey Lee Pierce is not far from Margaret Garrett's shoulder, I had the impression in listening to this cd that Mr Airplane man had produced the ideal sequel to the Gun Club's "Miami". The same urgency in singing as if tomorrow will be the end of all things, the highly professional music skills. Everything fits as expected. And these girls know how to rock and are not afraid to play loud and scruffy... Another duo which has a bright future awaiting and which will be another reason to keep on loving rock music."