Songs You May Have Missed #789

31 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Moon Safari: “Too Young to Say Goodbye” (2013)

The words I used to describe Moon Safari on a previous post apply just as well to this song, so I’ll reprint them with only slight modification here:

Moon Safari represents an astounding juxtaposition of seemingly incompatible musical components: the surprise-around-every-corner complexity of prog rock alongside an almost boy-bandesque propensity for catchy pop hooks, and a five-part harmony vocal sound simply unmatched in their genre.

At its absolute best prog rock is a triumph of possibility over musical triteness and cliché. It stretches the envelope. But it doesn’t need to tear the seams–to sound so “original” that it challenges more than pleases.

And that’s what Moon Safari seem to understand: ultimately music–even relatively complex music–is meant to be enjoyed. Melodic and instrumental hooks abound here. But like the best prog, it’ll take you many repeated listens to assimilate the song entirely–to be able to sing every lyric on cue and hit every correct note of the solo on air guitar or synth.

Ornate, yet entirely accessible. A treat for fans of complex music, but a great bridge into the genre for fans of more mainstream bands (Styx come to mind).

(End quote.)

This song in particular will forever be tied to a mental snapshot from my own life. It was the moment in which I gave in to the inevitable and drove away for the final time from the home of a woman with whom I’d had a fitful short-lived and one-sided relationship.

As I navigated the 45-minute trip home, this song on repeat, these lyrics, sung in a tearful near-shout, were something of a balm of self-medication:

We’re much too young to say goodbye
But I won’t waste another day here by your side
When it comes to love, you don’t have a clue
You don’t have a heart, but you could easily break mine
It’s time to say goodbye

Music, indeed, is there for you when no one else seems to be.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/16/songs-you-may-have-missed-465/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/04/recommended-albums-52/

Songs You May Have Missed #465

16 Aug 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

moon safari

Moon Safari: “Heartland” (2010)

From the band that currently have me held firmly in the clutches of heavy–no, damn near continuous–rotation. This particular song has the tightest grip of all.

Moon Safari represents an astounding juxtaposition of seemingly incompatible musical components: the surprise-around-every-corner complexity of prog rock alongside an almost boy-bandesque propensity for catchy pop hooks, and a five-part harmony vocal sound simply unmatched in their genre.

At its absolute best prog rock is a triumph of possibility over musical triteness and cliché. It stretches the envelope. But it doesn’t need to tear the seams–to sound so “original” that it challenges more than pleases.

And that’s what Moon Safari seem to understand: ultimately music–even relatively complex music–is meant to be enjoyed. Melodic and instrumental hooks abound here. But like the best prog, it’ll take you many repeated listens to assimilate the song entirely–to be able to sing every lyric on cue and hit every correct note of the solo on air guitar or synth.

And long before you do–assuming you have a musical sweet tooth for the sunny, uplifting sounds typical of Swedish prog–you’ll be blaring it from a car window or hitting the repeat button on your device to enjoy another rapturous six-minute fix.

Ornate, yet entirely accessible. A treat for fans of complex music, but a great bridge into the genre for fans of more mainstream bands (Styx come to mind). This might be the perfect prog song.

Open all of your windows, can’t you hear the boys are calling
Step outside for the night, y’know it’s summertime, they’ll all be there
And they’re playing memories on the radio
Got your back pretty one, I know that you’ve got mine

Oh my love, there is trouble in the heartland
You and me, as we walk the square of possibility
Caught up in a love that could not be

I remember she used to refer to you as sweet, sweet prince
Though she’s always known that you’re nothing but a working man’s son
Your ambition was always to high for one of us
Surely you would go on, oh baby, to do what we can’t dream

Oh my love, there is trouble in the heartland
One last dance, save your worries for another rainy day
You wouldn’t want it any other way
But darling it’s time to say our goodbyes to summer romance
By the fall, all will be gone and then we’ll walk our separate ways
We’ll let this night be our last big mistake

From the heroes of yesteryear
The only one, still left standing
Tuned in to life’s radio
A blue song from long ago

Oh my love, there is trouble in the heartland
You and me, as we walk the square of possibility
Caught up in a love that could not be

But darling can’t you see?
We’re still soldiers of the heartland,
even now I still see you like I did when I could dream
of a place where we’d be known as king & queen

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/04/recommended-albums-52/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2025/08/31/songs-you-may-have-missed-789/

Recommended Albums #52

04 Aug 2013 2 Comments

by Ed Cyphers in Recommended Albums Tags: ,

moon safari

Moon Safari: Blomljud (2008)

My current musical infatuation, and the stuff I’ve been playing at antisocial decibel levels lately, is that of Swedish prog band Moon Safari. For fans of sunny, uplifting, non-metal influenced prog (as well as bands like Styx from a bygone era) this prolific band is worth checking out.

Moon Safari feature perhaps the strongest vocals in all of progressive rock. Their harmonies are like nothing in the genre, sounding more like a combination of 70’s bands such as Ambrosia and 50’s close harmony acts like the Four Freshmen–or even the Beach Boys.

Songwriting too is an obvious strength. These Swedes have mastered classic long-form prog, but keep things appealing throughout, with guitar and synth lines that grow on the listener with repeated listening. You won’t find the staggering musicianship of Yes or ELP here–song, melody and harmony are the areas of greater focus. But then again, the only 20+ minute song I’ve ever found worth listening to from beginning to end was by this band and not one of the aforementioned classic acts.

They seem to keep to the type of release schedule more befitting a 70’s prog band as well, with a massive double album due this September adding to two other releases since 2010.

Listen to: “Constant Bloom/Methuselah’s Children”

Listen to: “Bluebells”

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/16/songs-you-may-have-missed-465/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2025/08/31/songs-you-may-have-missed-789/