Moloch was a blues and acid rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1969. There’s not a ton of information easily findable with a quick search on the internet for the band, but one line on their Discogs band page has me quite intrigued: “Led by guitarist Lee Baker (who […] is often called ‘the greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of’)”. As a guitar player, I’m super interested to hear what’s in store within the album. Their self-titled album was their first and only album, as it was received well but never garnered commercial attention, which led to the splitting up of the band in 1971. I’m quite excited to listen to this album, so with that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Helping Hand” starts out with a bit of mumbling with what sounds like a bit of a southern accent before the band drops into a heavy blues/acid rock groove with some tasty crunchy distortion on the guitars, some smooth swirling organs, a strong bluesy beat, and some pretty gritty vocals. Oh wow, this song is sweet. The guitar seems to zip and drip around with combinations of quick movements, wah pedal, and licks that seem to whip across the soundscape. Oh wow, the soundscape has a ton of really interesting effects that seem to transport and change up the overall sound a bunch as the tune continues. Wow, this is sweet. It reminds me a lot of a bit of a heavier version of Grin. Great track, and I’m excited for the rest of the album.
“Maverick Woman Blues” starts out with a droning organ sound and is soon joined by some quick, shuffling, syncopated beats from the drum track. Oh wow, this is sweet. There’s a really groovy back and forth between the heavy rhythm guitar and the organs, while the lead guitar adds some flavorful accentuations and the bass guitar seems to make the soundscape that much more massive with the fat, muddy tone; super sweet. Oh wow, the lead guitar is getting some super groovy licks in. Oh wow, all the instruments but the drums and organs fade out for the end of the track for a super sweet outro. Great tune.
Oh wow, “Outta Hand” starts out with some heavy piano that sets the tone for the track while the other instruments come in and seemingly lighten the soundscape through bright, tasty, and seemingly major key playing. Oh wow, this is grooving. The tune has turned into a major 12 bar blues sounding jam track with the lead guitar playing some tasty licks as the other instruments keep the groove going with the drums chugging the soundscape along. Great track.
Oh wow, “Same Old Blues” sounds like a super interesting mixture between soul and blues, creating a seemingly heavenly bluesy sound between the bright chords and licks from the mostly clean guitar tone while being continually carried by the lifting organs, bright piano, and the tremelo effect on the other guitar that seems to echo the organs. Oh wow, the vocals really have a lot of flavor to them as well. Great tune.
Oh wow, “Going Down” is super groovy right away with the combination of the shuffling syncopated drums with the organs and rhythm guitar trading lines back and forth, while the bass guitar seems to connect the organs and rhythm guitar with some smooth lines. Oh wow, the lead guitar really gets the tune grooving with some sweet feedback effects as the tune changes up a bit. Super sweet track.
Oh wow, “She Looks Like An Angel” starts out with some super tasty distorted slide guitar, while the bass, piano, and drums all seem to walk the tune forward at increasing paces. Holy smokes, the harmonica comes on with a super distorted gritty sound and really lays into the track with some super bluesy flavors, awesome. Holy smokes, this is sweet. The drums really set the pace nicely between that bluesy swing and the tasty fills in the track. Oh wow, the lead guitar and the harmonica are jamming alongside each other at this point, each taking the other further out in the jam. Great track.
“Gone Too Far (feat. Johnny Woods)” starts out with some more mumbling with a southern accent to start the track. Oh wow, this tune really drops into a super groovy southern/Memphis blues jam as the track keeps going. Between the a heavy distorted rhythm guitar, the rollicking bluesy piano, the smooth walk of the bass line, the super tasty bluesy harmonica, and the bluesy vocal lines, the soundscape is given a sound that seems only fit to be called a groovy Memphis blues. Wow, this is sweet. I think I can lightly hear a lead guitar jamming along in the background, taking out the bluesy harmonica even further in that little jam. Great flavorful bluesy track.
Oh wow, “Dance Chaney Dance” has a super interesting sound like a heavier Memphis blues meets an 80s pop rock track. Oh wow, this is super sweet, it’s almost like it’s a Journey song played by a heavy blues rock band. The guitars have a super crunchy droning quality that move the tune forward while following behind the vocals and being driven by the strong and steady drum beat.
Oh wow, “Mona” is super tasty as it seems to be an almost strange psychedelic funk-inflected hard rock as the different effects seem to swirl the soundscape around with the repetitive reliable movements of the drums and guitar work. Oh wow, the lead guitar comes in and seems to really howl some super tasty psychedelic blues into the soundscape. Great track.
Oh wow, “People Keep Talking” almost feels like an electric Elvis Presley tune between the rollicking piano lines, the walking bass line, the seemingly swirly chops of the rhythm guitar, and the tasty punchy howl of the lead guitar. Oh wow, this is one groovy tune. Great track.
“I Can Think the Same of You” starts out with a bit of slow, airy blues club type of sound with the warm, slow piano on top of that groovy bass line. Oh wow, things pick up a bunch with the introduction of the shakers in the rhythm section of the track, which seems to beckon you to follow while the lead guitar plays some super tasty lines alongside them, with the warm rollick of the bluesy piano driven forward by the more traditional rock drum kit. Super tasty track, great tune.
Oh wow, “Night At the Possum” legitimately sounds like it’s the introductory track for a set at a bluesy club as the vocals introduce the tune with a super southern accent, while the steady drums drive the tune forward with some smooth bass lines and warm piano that seem to groove the soundscape along with a ton of bluesy flavor. Oh wow, this is sweet. The lead guitar is jamming with some super bluesy lines while the organs and other guitar seem to trade some swirling lines back and forth. Holy smokes, the organs have taken the lead and the bluesy flavor is immense. Oh wow, the vocals have come back and are now seemingly saying goodbye to the audience, while also making a general announcement about food and drinks at the blues club the band is at, all while the instrumentation begins to fade out. Oh wow, it sounds like the band is slowly coming back on for an encore after everything faded out, with a super gritty sound between the super bluesy harmonica, distorted rhythm guitar, and the vocal line that is almost inaudible due to distortion or quality of the recording. Great track and a great way to tie together this album.
Wow, this album was pretty sweet. It was like Iron Butterfly mixed with Crazy Horse or Grin, with heavy blues inclinations, psychedelic flavorings alongside sweet songwriting and playing that kept me wanting to hear more. If you’re a fan of Memphis blues and heavier psychedelic blues and/or acid rock, you might want to consider checking out this album. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the experience at least as much as I did.
-A