Search - Tuatara :: East of the Sun / West of the Moon

Tuatara, the ongoing side-project formed by REM's Peter Buck and drummer/composer Barrett Martin, finally releases its magnum opus double album, East Of The Sun/West Of The Moon. The 2-disc album is a collection of 29 original songs. With seven full-length releases under their belt, Tuatara has evolved from an all-instrumental soundtrack project, to a revolving ensemble of singers, poets, and instrumentalists. In addition to Tuatara's famed rhythm section, EOTS/WOTM features such luminaries as Mark Olson and Victoria Williams, Gary Louris, poet Coleman Barks, Mark Eitzel, Dean Wareham, Jessy Greene, John Wesley Harding, Gina Sala, Adama, and Iraqi oud-master Rahim Alhaj. East Of The Sun is disc one, and features a collection of sparse, border-town themed songs that capture the atmosphere of the mystical southwest. The second disc, West Of The Moon, has more of an R&B approach, with touches of Rock and Soul, as well as classic Americana, and even some fiery Arabic-themed songs. It could be said that Tuatara has morphed yet again, this time into a band of soundscape songwriters, whose current flight has been rerouted from Memphis to Marrakech. This package was initially released as two separate albums, now combined into a 2-CD set for the price of one CD.