reviews

Reviews

Review of Step Right Up
date 1/19/07

It’s the surreal psychedelic lyrics and lilting reggae sounds of “Little Bit Higher” that first grab the listener’s attention on Moossa’s third album, Step Right Up. Scott Lewis’ percussion and Ryan Davis’ bass create a
sublime wave below which Jim Fabricone’s boiling organ seethes and above which
Fabricone’s and John Moossa’s guitars groove and weave. From there this
ambitious 16 track album juggles its way through the funky Americana
hip-hop vibe of “11 and 5/8” and its verbose lyrical poetry, the jangling indie
pop rock of “It’s True”, the twanging alt country vibe of “Gypsy Queen”,
the jazzy folk of “It Isn’t Me” and the moody folk of “Mistake of Chance”.

From reggae to rock to folk and funk, Moossa brings the listener along
on an epic musical journey in the space of a single album, an album that is
surprisingly cohesive, and passionately performed.

.... the band was amazing, the entire crowd was amazed and kept asking for more music even until late
in the morning. This is the best live band we have had, or I have seen at fraternity, also one of the best
live bands I have ever seen period. Moossa was a great find....
Social Chair
Phi Epsilon Tau
UNC Chapel Hill

Mixing jam-flavored melodies and grooves with a roots-rock backbone, Moossa is a versatile artist.
Vocally, he comes across as some unholy union of Little Steven and Van Morrison with a little John Hiatt
thrown in to really screw you up—in other words, gruff, throaty and good. His tunes are straightforward
story songs and sexy, well-wrought love tunes
Performing Songwriter

The sophomore full-length release from this versatile, Richmond, VA-based, quartet is tour-de-force of
modern Southern rock. With a sound like The Dave Mathews Band and a slightly gravelly voice, John
Moossa leads his band through 10 songs that cover everything from the global economy to road trips to
Reno. Three musicians - Moossa, Ryan Davis, and Jim Fabricatore - contribute to the eclectic
songwriting of this group. At times, the guitars sound like early Allman Brothers, but with lyrics that
contain references to Ozymandias and belly-button rings, this is clearly a different Southern band. The
band is not afraid to slip into reggae grooves or cut loose with a capella harmonies. Clearly, Moossa is
one of the best-kept secrets of the South. It remains to be seen how long a group this good can be kept
off a major label.
Skratch Magazine CD Reviews

The second CD by Richmond, Virginia's Moossa is another good time mix of alt folk with a subtle jam
rock vibe and flashes of reggae. Think of Bob Dylan, Widespread Panic and Sublime being whipped in a
blender with a couple shots of Appleton Rum. "Break Apart" is a laid back romp with sweet guitar licks.
"New War" is a passionate plea fueled by music to the shade of Phish, and "Night Rider" has a gritty
blues bite. Augmented by excellent musicianship, and well-written songs, John's vocals are a bit Tom
Petty and a touch Trey Anastasio as he lends the extra dose of soul to the slyly sardonic lyrics.
Indie Spotlight
Music Morsels

With so many influences swirling around in the music it would be easy for Get Away to become
overloaded. Instead the record stays tight and focused, each track packing its own distinct punch, with
Moossa's great Elvis Costello drawl anchoring the songs together.Moossa's mighty confluence of
sounds has gained the band a loyal and diverse following along the Eastern seaboard from
Massachusetts down to North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Richmond.com