Sean McMahon & The Moonmen
Shiner
Independent / MGM
Sean McMahon is no
newbie. His work with Melbourne country rockers Downhills Home, alt.country
chanteuse Jemma Rowlands, and on his own with Western Union, see him regarded
as one of this country’s finest country-tinged guitarists and songwriters,
albeit one who’s never really taken centre stage. With new outfit The Moonmen however, Sean McMahon has stepped forward, and has hit his straps.
A gorgeously warm
release, Shiner slowly blooms from the lilting vocalled sweetness of opener
House Of Mirrors and doesn’t stop growing, the feel and shimmer continuing long
after the closing notes of the slow-groove title track have faded. Bringing in
former Downhills Michael Hubbard (bass) and Josh Duiker (drums), along with
pedal steel maestro Ben Franz (plus Matt Walker and Rowlands on occasional
backing vocals), McMahon has crafted an album that stacks up on all fronts –
his guitar, at the forefront for the most past, is the album’s signature; his
voice is strong but is used as a compliment; his songwriting is on point, tight
and poignant.
Based in the
country idiom but completely unafraid to meander down myriad other paths –
dalliances with rock, folk and pop – Shiner has properly unearthed a contender,
Sean McMahon shown as a master of his craft.
4/5
Samuel J. Fell
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