This is a public service announcement! Indie rock band Penelope’s Thrill is back with their eagerly anticipated album entitled, “Message on the Moon“. This Madison-based band came back with a blast, packed with music that explores transformation and change – this 17-track release is expected to create waves through the industry just like their award-winning debut album, “Twilight on Tunnel Road”.
Message on the Moon is centered on one beautiful inspiration – the painting “August Night” by the painter Kelli Hoppmann. As featured in the cover art of this album, this inspiration implies fancy and dreamlike elements that are injected into the band’s fresh drop. Timothy Walsh has admitted that he found himself being drawn repeatedly to this work, creating idea sparks for some of the tracks in the album as well as setting the creative direction of this album.
This album is packed. It offers a variety of musical experiences as each track offers a different vibe on each listen. Thematically, “Message on the Moon” is a tale of change. This album also covers global concerns and even vibrant ideas that a person could creatively imagine. “Abigail’s Waltz” and “Soap Bubbles on the Wind” are tracks that depict introspective tendencies, while the tracks “Leslie Are You Sleeping” and “It’s Yesterday” tackle serious and heavy issues that are disguised through the songs’ infectious and vibe-y music.
One thing that is apparent in this album is the skillful guitar playing. This album definitely highlights Walsh’s mastery of his craft as a guitarist. The guitar sound for each song was carefully chosen, and skillfully played, creating great music. This was possible because of the variety of vintage guitars that Walsh has. This wide variety of guitar tones resulted in a diverse sound that fits perfectly with the themes being offered, making this a great listening experience.
Tracks “Hear the Pulse”, “Ocean Avenue Sunrise”, “The House That Goes Dancing”, “I Met a Girl I Know”, “One Fine Day”, “August Night”, “When You’re Alone”, “Tell You”, and “Lighthouse in Winter” is also featured in this album. Each of these tracks offers a different vibe and story that will definitely keep you hooked. With these tracks, Penelope’s Thrill featured several great collaborations which made this whole release much more colorful through the infusion of different styles by different local artists. Talented local musicians such as Wendy Lynn Markus from Sunspot and Ben Lokuta from The Cuz have been invited to become part of the core band. On the other hand, Akmaral Zykayeva – an artist from Kazakhstan, and Amanda Sanderson – an artist from England, come in bringing additional international additions to the whole project.
Ultimately, Penelope’s Thrill “Message on the Moon” is a great listen. It is intriguing, and it will keep you thinking long after the whole album ends as you listen. This is an absolutely great musical journey that you wouldn’t want to miss. Be sure to check out “Message on the Moon”, now available on all streaming platforms. Like, share, and add it to your playlist. Follow Penelope’s Thrill on all their social media platforms to get the freshest updates on the latest release. Immerse yourself on their music and transform not only your playlist but also your perspective through their music.
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About the Author
Tine Quirino, also known as Kristine, is a writer (frustrated one), a dreamer (serial sleeper), an INFJ (also INTP/J), a (professional) fangirl, and a good listener (‘literally and figuratively,’ she states).
She is just here, lurking somewhere, enjoying all your music. Music of any kind is still music, after all.
