The Moods Manchester are an electro-hip-hop, baroque, reggae infused band, whose gripping sounds create a melodramatic backdrop for the soapbox lyrics and distinctive vocals. With Mark Cunningham on vocals , Dave O’Rourke on bass, Paul Homes on keyboard, Phil Horrocks on drums and Chris Barret on drums/percussion The Moods Manchester are like a neo- Happy Mondays meets The Gorillaz on a dark night, whose eclectic mix of sounds makes them an original and interesting band. What’s great about The Moods Manchester is Cunningham’s vocal delivery, which immediately engages you with his strong Mancunian vowels, whilst evoking a strong sense of integrity and solidarity with his animated street-poetry. Having been busy doing gigs and mini festivals around Manchester, The Moods Manchester are quickly making waves , gaining a number 1 position on the ReverbNation alternative charts for Manchester back in June 2013. Along with the rest of their songs, my single of the week “Kids Carry Guns” is worth checking out and is available to download via ReverbNation.
With its opening cinematic mantra and matrix of electronica, “ Kids Carry Guns” robotically ducks and dives from the smudgey synths. It’s a smooth prowler that dances from the side lines and exposes truth under the skydiving synths. Through its gritty-political infused lyrics, “Kids Carry Guns” delivers a serious message and its intensity is loosened through the reggae-esque synths and rumbling bongo beats. It’s a great song, which sees the lyrics such as “Last one to leave here so turn out the lights…lights, lights” resonate and linger against the backdrop of Industrial clatter, making it very much your urban cool saviour.