Beggar's Moon

In 1997, Filipino band Razorback released Beggar's Moon, its second album and first for a major label, Epic-Sony Philippines. On 1995's Hebigat Sounds, Vol. One, the band purveyed a potent brew of Southern rock reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Crowes and others. As before, Beggar's Moon features the powerful twin-lead guitar front line of David Aguirre and Tirso Ripoll. The sound on Beggar's Moon remains heavily influenced by Southern rock, but the band also explores different avenues, as heard on the Jimi Hendrix-inspired "Beggar's Moon/Tye Dye Sky." Despite the band's adventurousness, however, the results could be better. Mainly, Beggar's Moon needs skillful editing. Though strong in many parts, the material doesn't sustain a listener's interest for the entire 70 minutes, and two of the last three songs, "Temple" and "Goldenthroat: The Electric Mistress," which combine for approximately 14 minutes, are boring and ramble too much, and could be cut entirely. The length of these two songs is not the problem per se: they just don't have anything to say. Conversely, at over eight minutes, "Beggar's Moon/Tye Dye Sky" is cohesive and exciting. Several other songs could stand some tightening as well. Despite these drawbacks, there is much to appreciate on Beggar's Moon, and it is worthy of international release if issued in edited form. The album was generally well-received, and sold approximately 18,000 copies, according to the label (gold is 20,000 units sold).