Burgess picks new Moons album Pocket Melodies for November listening party

The new album by The Moons has been picked by Charlatans front man Tim Burgess to be one of the records featured on his Twitter listening parties.

Burgess started online listening parties earlier this year during the national coronavirus lockdown.

Using the hashtag #timstwitterlisteningparties, Burgess, fans and the artists involved come together at the same time each night to listen to the chosen album and discuss it on Twitter.

Pocket Melodies has been picked by Burgess as the album to be featured on Monday, November 2 at 9pm.

Frontman Andy Crofts said: “We’re very happy to be doing one of Tim’s Twitter listening parties.

“Since quarantine started we’ve all been at a loose end and Tim stepped up using social media to bring people together.

“He’s done hundreds of album parties now and it’s gone down a storm.

“Considering the album is on my own label, I’m feeling quite proud that these kind of things are happening as in the past, I felt we were always the band who didn’t get to do these things.”

Pocket Melodies is the Northampton band’s fourth album and follows 2014’s Mindwaves, 2012’s Fables Of History and 2010’s Life On Earth. It was recoded at Abby Road’s Studio Two.

Crofts, who was brought up in Northampton and now lives in Worthing, is joined in the band by Ben Gordelier, Chris Watson and Ben Curtis.

Talking about Monday’s listening party, Crofts added: “At precisely 9pm you play the album from start to finish.

“While this is happening, head over to Twitter and myself and members of The Moons will be talking you through each track on the record in real time as we are all listening in our homes.

“Basically, we all listen to the album at once and talk about it on Twitter and you can all interact with the band while it’s happening.”

While Burgess’ listening parties have featured iconic albums such as Different Class by Pulp, Definitely Maybe by Oasis and Up The Bracket by The Libertines, Burgess has also picked newer albums by the likes of Working Men’s Club, Porridge Radio and Run The Jewels.

Talking about the reaction to the band’s new album, Crofts said: ““I’m so happy with the response to Pocket Melodies. This is the first time that we have ever had this kind of impact on fans.

“I’ve had hundreds of wonderful messages about them playing it over and over again.

“Naturally, art is all down to the person looking at it or listening to it so mixed reviews are all part of it but this album though has felt different.

“The songs are very colourful and super melodic and maybe people just felt they needed this colour in their lives right now.

“I’m totally aware this album is quite simple and almost safe in its style but that’s exactly what I wanted and I think it actually stands out for this reason.

“I didn’t feel like being dark and cryptic - I wanted the opposite.

“I wanted the album to be bold and vibrant so I made all the artwork and packaging to reflect the music and people are delighted with it.

“Many people have messaged me saying it’s their new favourite record so I can’t really argue with that.”

For more information, visit https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com and https://www.themoons.co.uk/Read Jeremy Casey’s interview with Andy Crofts about Pocket Melodies https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/crofts-really-excited-northampton-band-moons-prepare-release-new-album-pocket-melodies-3000938