The Phantom Tollbooth
September 1999 Pick of the Month
 
Moontraveler 
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle 
Label: Organic Records 
Time: 10 tracks/40:16 minutes
Cult followers of Poor Old Lu take notice, Aaron Sprinkle is back (not that he ever went away, having also formed the band Rose Blossom Punch). With a foundation of gentle acoustic guitars and Sprinkle's signature smooth voice, this album's blend of alternative folk pop is a winning combination. With songs ranging from the trippy Mike Knott-esque "Antennae's Wife" to the charged atmosphere and tensely strummed acoustic guitar of "All In A Day's Work," Aaron Sprinkle proves he can write and play quality songs.

The general melancholy that pervades this album is also its greatest asset, lending an air of continuity and direction to the music. At times, Moontraveler almost reminds one of an impromptu campfire song secession. Sprinkle also wrote, recorded, and produced all the album's songs, along with playing all instruments. This probably accounts for why the backing instruments sound a little weak compared to Sprinkle's talented guitar playing.

With strong lyrics in the struggling-everyman vein, Aaron keeps his message fittingly tied to his music, such as in the song "Not All Bad:"

    I follow lines that never end just to reach you again
    I get tired and then I break down
    So I will rest and in the daybreak I will find you and be
    Forever your friend

    So I cry myself awake
    To keep from dreaming all day
    And I think I'm borderline
    Losing my mind

With great songwriting and original music, Aaron Sprinkle has given us a release befitting a former Poor Old Lu member. Let's hope more solo releases are forthcoming from this talented musician.

Joe Rockstroh    (8-14-99)

Aaron Sprinkle’s new album is moody. But what does one expect from the former guitar player of Poor Old Lu and front man of Rose Blossom Punch. He’s a Seattle native and the rain inevitably seeps out of the bones and into the music.

His new album, moontraveler, is a sleeper. It takes a few nights of sleep to appreciate it. At first listen, it drones on and on with the monotone of Sprinkle’s voice. It may take the listener a while to differentiate between the songs. They have a similar sound unless one hears the album a few times. It’s an album of sublime passion. Sprinkle’s personality comes through this album as being subtle but witty, quiet but passionate.  It’s a lyrically complex album. Lyrical nuiances, suggestions and impressions replace the straitforward lyrics that many musicians use.

Musically, the guitar melodies loop over and over to create a sound that lingers in the mind after the music is gone. Sprinkle’s guitar  is the central force and guts of the album. He shows his talent for catchy rhythms, but goes overboard on his use of loops in many of his songs. The use of what sounds like a euphonium in “All In A Day's Work” is  ingenious and it catches the ear immediately.  The euphonium-type-sound mixed with the non-traditional percussion makes for a pleasing auditory hybrid.

This album is worthwhile for its moody and subtly sarcastic tone and lyrics. Sprinkle has always been good for a quietly emotional album and he has accomplished that with moontraveler. It just takes some time to appreciate this one, but any Poor Old Lu or Rose Blossom Punch fan will appreciate it. It may sound strange, but I think it would also appeal to fans of Beck's music.

Israel Kloss 8/26/99