Moe

What is the final frontier for jam bands that have spent entire careers exploring the “space” inside their own heads? Why, more down-to-earth writing sensibilities, of course. Though Phish made a heavy impression on Moe during the band’s formative years in the early ’90s, Moe has always worn the mark of the jam-band beast — i.e., catchiness that rears itself in actual songs. Which is not to say that the band is too polished. Moe just knows how to walk the line between taking things out and reeling ’em in, sliding back-and-forth between albums that are song- and jam-oriented. Moe still hasn’t found that perfect balance — not on record, anyway. But live, you’ll find a distinct, seamless blend of improv and structure that’ll keep both sides of your brain happy.