Mike and the Moonpies Demand Your Attention

Mike and the Moonpies continue to be one of the most admirable and interesting bands in country music. Not only are these guys one of the best live performances in the game, (and possibly the best band in general), but as any music nerd such as myself would know, they are truly great at doing things their own way. One to Grow On dropped on August 10, and is their fourth album in as many years. Before even diving into the record, I want to address the fact that these guys announced this record within a relatively short time frame to the project’s release, which is uncommon these days. Additionally, they’ve been known to ghost-drop records over the years. They’ve also only released two singles ahead of the release, in a world where we’re accustomed to hearing half the album before the rest drops.

While I was over the moon excited to hear this record when it was sent over a bit ago, I couldn’t help but be a bit nervous for what I was about to hear, too. I simply think that 2019’s Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold is one of the best records that I may ever hear in my lifetime. I think it’s that good. So, coming into these new Moonpies tunes, I really had to put in an honest effort to dissociate my perception of the Moonpies from CSSCG. That wasn’t as easy to do as it sounds.

One to Grow On is a concept record. A linear set of songs based around one main character who is an amalgamation of different folks that Mike Harmeier has made contact with over the years. It’s interesting to see the Moonpies tackle a record like this following their last two releases. CSSCG was so outside the box, in concept, sound, execution, everything. Then, in 2020, we got Touch of You: The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart, so the Moonpies certainly haven’t been strangers to going into the studio with a clear set of circumstances over these past two records, why not another one? But I think One to Grow On feels like a closer relative to the Moonpies’ 2018 release, Steak Night at the Prairie Rose. I mean this in terms of the way the record sounds, mostly. CSSCG was an incredible and unexpected blend of Texas Honky Tonk and the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Gary Stewart songs, while they were totally up the Moonpies’ alley, were not penned by Mike. This one feels as though the Moonpies took what they learned from those albums (concept), and combined it with the sound and feel of what began to blow them up with Steak Night. Throw in the outstanding songwriting of Mike and producer Adam Odor, and we end up with the gift of One to Grow On.

Mike had this to say about the concept of the album:

“This is a working man and woman’s record-the story of the American dream. It’s about a character searching for balance. Like myself, he’s at the age where he is losing family, close friends and mentors. He’s realizing nothing lasts forever and grapples with how to appreciate the moment he’s in while still working tirelessly towards a future for his family. He’s nostalgic for the carefree days of his youth but knows what has to be done and does it. Life has forced him to truly ‘grow up’…”

You can feel these themes throughout the album. While this is not a pandemic record in any way, as a listener, I feel as though more people than usual can relate to the human experience of the working class, dealing with the loss of loved ones, and the unstoppable marching of time.

There is absolutely no reason anymore why the Moonpies shouldn’t be included amongst the first names out of your mouth amongst the regulars (Turnpike, Childers, etc etc) when you’re telling someone what kind of country music you listen to (the good stuff). They’re on that level, and if you don’t think so, you pretty obviously just aren’t listening. These guys don’t fucking miss.

One to Grow On is another undeniably excellent piece in the Moonpies’ catalog, and there is not a doubt in my mind that we’ll look back on this band as one of the best, if not the best, country band of this generation. These guys just keep getting better, they keep everyone guessing, and they crank out consistently great country music. Go to the shows. Buy the records. You’re living in the era of Mike and the Moonpies.

“When the fields turn to dust, and steel turns to rust

and when the good old days are as good as gone,

I know who’s side you’re on”

Be on the Moonpies’ side.

One to Grow On Tracklist

1. Paycheck To Paycheck

2. Hour On The Hour

3. Growing Pains

4. Rainy Day

5. Whose Side You’re On

6. Brother

7. The Vein

8. Social Drinkers

9. Burn Out