I feel like every time I sit down to write about a Virgin of the Birds song, I can’t help but comment on just how dang Virgin-of-the-Birds-y it is. And here we are again. “Moon Chariot,” Jon Rooney’s newest idiosyncratic gem, is a languid, dreamy slice of pop heaven, stamped all over with Jon’s songwriting calling cards. Obscure mythical references? Check. References to beloved obscure bands? Hello, Giantess and Storm the Palace! Totally out-of-left-field quoting of a hugely popular song from the ’80s? Come on, Noreen, you know it!
As usual, I have no idea what Jon is talking about here – I have a way of letting metaphorical lyrics just kind of wash over me without getting too bogged down in what it all means – but I adore how it all pulls together. The dreams of giants and serpents and winged horses, the love for Noreen, whoever that might be; it’s all beautifully evocative, both surreal and specific in just the right way, a technique Mr. Rooney has long-since proven his mastery of.
“Moon Chariot” is a musical treat as well, of course – relaxed without feeling lazy, joyful without being overly earnest – and he’s even got some multi-tracked group vocals in there to really up the Dexy’s Midnight Runners vibe. In short, another master class in weirdo pop songwriting from our dear friend Jon Rooney.