Scorpio Moon - MOD CON

Normally, artists taking influence from the 70's incorporate smooth and lucid riffs, a soft/easy beat and a groovy bass line, akin to artists like The Grateful Dead and David Bowie. With MOD CON, and specifically the song in question, "Scorpio Moon," the 70's influence is undeniably related with the hard rock stylings of bands like Heart. While undoubtedly taking influence from 70's hard rock,  MOD CON and their full-length debut Modern Convenience, finds themselves squarely fit into this New School of rock with the likes of Courtney Barnett, Starcrawler and The Regrettes. "Scorpio Moon" has a rawness and authenticity to its production along with a snarl that says "I don't give a fuck;" indicative of the New School. 

Right out of the gates bassist Sara Retallick is making you play catch-up but just before you find your breath lightning strikes with a slick riff and a thunderous beat throws you on your ass for the rest of the tune. Singer Erica Dunn vocal's is much like the listener: playing catch up. Their is a sped-up tempo to her stylings along with passionate screams and aggressiveness as if trying to compete with the instrumentation. Dunn's vocals at times seems fatigued as if defeated but her pitch sky-rockets to bring her right back to the forefront of action.

The track comes off as ironic, due in part to its title "Scorpio Moon" referring to an astrologic label of a person born with a need for closeness and intimacy, which for such and abrasive and aggressive song, is quite comical. A line in the song, "songs about love are my favorite" is another indication of "Scorpio Moon" having a different feeling than the objective meaning of its title. The line in question is followed by Dunn's need to "be preoccupied" and her inability to relax, commenting on the description of a "Scorpio Moon" juxtaposed with anti-social wailings.

It's a humorous song (whether it is exposing the pseudo science behind astrology is left for interpretation) describing the need for such a peaceful notion (closeness and intimacy) in a hostile and stand-offish manner. The ironic tendencies in the opposing implications of the instrumentation and lyrics is becoming a very common motif in music today, expertly used in Hazel English's fantastic "I'm Fine." However, I fear this trend may lead to redundancy as more and more artists feel compelled to express feelings and ideas in this way. Fortunately, MOD CON's utilization provides enough interpretation, oddity and humor to make "Scorpio Moon" a great track.

So...check it out!