By Samuel Wigness
In his first studio release, Chris Keller — aka Kadoka – ushers in an early spring with an album celebrating the natural cycles of life.
Moon Goddess displays Keller’s uncanny ability to harmonize and focus his voice and guitar. For much of the album he is on his own intertwining poetic lyrics and skillfully crafted riffs, but Kadoka is at its best in the latter half of “Moments So Long” when Michelle Kinney ties in the cello.
Along with his voice and guitar, Keller put a lot of his heart into Moon Goddess, drawing inspiration from times of regret and sorrow in his life, but balancing it with a genuine appreciation for the phenomena that create and sustain human life. While moments of pain show up throughout the album, they are overpowered by a fascination and respect for natural beauty.
Ranging wider than the motifs of the albums is the vocal range of Keller. His natural voice is genuine and calming and his falsetto demands a comparison to Bon Iver. His voice never overpowers his guitar, or vice versa, and conforms to match the weight of the lyrics.
As the fine days of summer approach, Moon Goddess is a must have at the lake or a walk through the woods. It’s a reminder that even in the heart of the city there are instances of natural beauty that should be enjoyed and respected.
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