Moggs
Issue #25
The White Belt is Not Enough (Absolutely Kosher)
By Dean Ramos
Published: September 1st, 2005 | 3:03pm
Heavy into distortion to the point of almost sounding like a noise-rock band at times, much like the White Stripes, Moggs approached the production of their debut full-length, The White Belt is Not Enough, similarly to the Whites in the respect that they resisted using any tools that weren't prevalent in the '60s. But while the White Stripes primarily draw from the blues for their influence, it's apparent that Moggs draw from '90s indie-rock and jazz, while even leaving some room for dance beats on a few cuts.
However, unlike the Detroit Duo, the results for Moggs are significantly less than impressive. While the practically prehistoric recording techniques may have worked for Jack and Meg, the distorted guitars adorning The White Belt Is Not Enough merely sound cheap and substandard here. Where this becomes painfully obvious is about halfway through the disc on "Aisles," where everything becomes a bit droning and bland with its repetitive beats, ho-hum vocals, and practically non-existent guitars. From there it doesn't get much better. There are a couple of redeeming tracks, though, such as the jazzy, beat-driven "All About the Feeling" and the grimy and baleful "Take Take Take," which is by far the most melodic number on the album, but the majority of this disc isn't terribly compelling.
Still, it should be noted that while their recorded material leaves a bit to be desired, this is the exact type of music that's probably fantastic live. It's unfortunate, however, that very little of The White Belt is Not Enough gives any indication of that.
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Moggs' offical Web site
Moggs' Myspace page
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