The Milk and Honey Band might be British, but on their fourth album, they sound more like an American act, or at least one heavily influenced by U.S. alternative rock and Americana. Singer/songwriter Robert White has an earnest tone in line with many rock vocalists, with some similarity to
R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe. The temperature of his compositions doesn't get too high or too low, whether he's delivering a folky tune with some slight late
Beatles/British psych-folk-rock flavors ("Just You," one of the strongest tracks, and the more delicate and elaborately arranged "Maryfaith Autumn") or a more standard chord-driven midtempo rocker. Additional attention is paid to varying the accents with some country-ish instrumentation on "No World at All" and "Cut the Line." Albums of material that dips into this sort of well tend to be a little too similar in tone from cut to cut to be of outstanding caliber, and
Dog Eared Moonlight isn't an exception in that regard. Though crafted with extreme care and competence, its mix of plaintive melodies with a mildly wistful and brooding lyrical outlook is more acceptably pleasant than outstanding. ~ Richie Unterberger