Press Archive

TO BE LOVED

“…To Be Loved,” a progressive pop-rock tour de force that showcases Moore’s expressive vocals, enduring six-string abilities and razor-sharp songwriting skills.  Moore has taken his artistry to a new level.”             -St. Louis Post Dispatch

“With To Be Loved, Moore has turned his attention to melody and lyrics with gratifying results.  His vocals have a Bowie-esque quality (“To Be Loved,” “Literary Kind,” “Walk on By”), as does his melodic pop-rock, which connect the disc the way Tom Waits’ songs do, maybe not thematically but spiritually and cyclically.”  -Austin Chronicle

“Moore has created a brand of challenging yet highly melodic new-millennium pop-rock that establishes him as an audacious songwriter and player.  He has struck that rare balance between astute complexity and utter pop appeal.” –All Music Guide (4 ½ Stars – AMG Pick)

“To Be Loved is tearing it up at college radio – meaning today’s Ian Moore is a far cry from the leather-clad guitar slinger we knew back at Steamboat more than a decade ago.  Expect solid pop songwriting and a smart band…”  – News 8 Austin

“…a baroque Soul/Pop gem that connects the dots between the rootsy Folk of Grant Lee Phillips, the ethereal chamber hymns of Jeff Buckley, the psychedelic Pop of The Beatles, the sunny bounce of The Beach Boys and the expansive vision of Jeff Lynne, with exquisitely delicious dollops of Todd Rundgren, Jellyfish, Sparks and Bryan Ferry.”   – City Beat Cincinnati

“…a mix of precision and abandon.”   – Houston Chronicle

“…Moore’s To Be Loved builds gracefully from soft swooning to soaring shouts.” – Parade Magazine

“(Moore is) another in the way too short list of artists that plays it as it lays, no digital gimmicks or sweetening to rob the recording of its soul.  After hearing this one you’ll wonder why others try and make something so natural so difficult.”  -Village Records

“It’s rocky, it’s lyrically-driven, it’s soulful, it’s adventurous, much like his live performances.” – Tulsa World

“Moore proves that he will not stick to a certain genre and will continue to please his fans with his ever changing sound and melodic voice.” – Aquarian Weekly

“To Be Loved, is his most ambitious yet, blending numerous influences into his own brand of power pop.” – On Tap Magazine

“…brand new masterpiece…To Be Loved is clearly the culmination of Moore’s musical gifts.  The evocation of Beatlesque pop as envisioned by Jeff Lynne, the soulful rock reinvention of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello, the crunchy pop confection of Jellyfish and the psych-folk blues of Grant Lee Buffalo are all on vivid display within the epic sweep of To Be Loved.”  -  Cleveland Free Times

“Ian Moore only gets better…his arrangements are as artful as they are complex, unified in a lush, organic, pop ballad synthesis.” – Tucson Weekly

“…snapped up by the biz and duly marketed as the latest Stevie Ray Vaughanabee.  But Ian Moore…long one of Portland’s favorite touring artists – had the artistic vision and songwriting chops to escape that target-market pigeonhole for a more eclectic sonic landscape.” – Willamette Weekly

“Ian Moore has transformed and expanded his sound and approach in unexpected ways.  The title track which possesses a songwriting complexity that allows for surprising shifts in mood and tone, but mostly Moore aims for a grander forceful tone.  “Literary Kind” shows signs of 70’s New Wave while “30 Days” slides toward power pop.  “Innocent Maneuvers” powers up electricity and uses Moore’s supreme command of his instrument to create highly textured and authentic rock.  At this rate, Moore may never settle on a style because there is so much left to do.” – iTunes

“With songs that at times echo Queen’s buoyancy and just the slightest British inflection, Loved is an appealing, jingle-jangle romp.” – Salt Lake City Weekly

“…one of the finest singer/songwriters around…a multi-octave voice of nearly Orbisonian proportions.”  – Portland Mercury

“Those who have yet to experience the depth of his performances, either recorded or live, would be remiss to categorize him as another guy with a guitar.  Sure, it’s what catapulted him into the spotlight, but it’s his attention to detail that truly makes his music complex and worth a long listen.”  – Santa Fe Reporter

“…top-flight singer songwriter who still knows how to deliver the guitar goods.”  – My SA.com

“”Innocent Maneuvers” from To Be Loved revealed Moore has become a songwriter of considerable skill.  The song owned all the right blustery melancholy while still offering sentiments of hope and redemption.” – Austin 360

“We’ve listened to singer/guitarist Ian Moore’s music, we’ve asked how it’s classified, and we still can’t pick a genre.” – Abilene Reporter News

“To Be Loved, the latest endeavor for musician Ian Moore, is stripped of glossy, intense studio-esque trickery.  The release, instead, is fattened with simplicity, emotion and familiarity…Moore finds inspiration in the pain and beauty of the pure emotion.” – Lafayette Daily Advertiser

“With To Be Loved, Moore takes that experimental sound and leaps off the edge of building and takes flight…He is an artist in the true sense of the word, unbound by genres or his last release…One part Beatles, one part Big Star, one part Byrds with added spices of Hendrix, Cream, Kinks and Floyd, it all comes out undeniable Ian and this record is the most immediate and arresting he’s released for years.” – Urban Tulsa