Critiques CD: Poor Moon | Poor Moon

Let’s get it out of the way: Poor Moon is essentially a side-project of core Fleet Foxes members Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott. Comparisons to the Seattle indie-folk-rock ensemble would be hard to avoid from the start, but the comparisons are inevitable here considering how close to home Poor Moon sounds in its referential and well-harmonized natural state. The Pacific Northwest mild-mannered supergroup culls from much of the same crop of classic American folk inspirations, but the delivery is lacking; as frontman and primary songwriter, Wargo is prosaic and mousy. While this is not inherently dooming, as the album is enjoyable enough to listen to, the songs are ultimately unsubstantial.