The debut album by The Moons seems to draw the listener back to the 60s with its rifts, melodies and optimistic yet sad knowing lyrics.

The band includes frontman Andy Crofts, Paul Weller’s keyboard player, and Chris Ketley from the Rakes. Weller in fact invited the band to record the album at his studio.

There are some nicely crafted songs on the 12 track album. Although Crofts song writing muses about timeless themes such as love and loss, the composition of songs feel distinctly the 60s.

‘How Long’ opens to an air raid siren and the words ‘how long must this war keep going on’ which feels more Vietnam than Afghanistan. But as the record progresses you realise that it’s possibly more about dealing with mind games and personal wars of attrition than specifically war.

‘Let It Go’ is a nice track too which has a lively upbeat message of forgiveness and not holding grudges and appears a good tonic for modern stressed out society and not letting little things bug you. Might be a good one on the iPod dealing with the horrors of the London underground.

It’s easy to feel empathy with Crofts lyrics and to relate to them but you are also aware that his heartfelt delivery has that personal aspect attached to them, almost like the words are on loan to listeners. No mean achievement for an artist.

I had that feeling that the Moons sound had elements of the Bluetones kind of style or so I felt. Playing spot the influences I personally thought it conjured up hints of the Who in its sound and The Artic Monkeys in the song writing.

I reckon the band would sound pretty good live and if they build on the promise of this debut album could move on to better things.