A Minneapolis band brings its ‘Night Moves’ to Iowa

Some of the finest albums in rock history were inspired by tragedy or personal setbacks.

Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" was written and recorded in 1973 not long after the death of roadie Bruce Berry due to a heroin overdose.

Young's close friend and Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten passed away in the same manner six month's prior. "Tonight's the Night" is covered in grief.

1975's "Blood on the Tracks“ was inspired by the end of Bob Dylan's marriage. Bruce Springsteen's compelling "The Rising" dropped in 2002 after the Boss was asked by his New Jersey neighbors how to make sense of 9-11. The brilliant album was Springsteen's finest release since 1987's "Tunnel of Love."

John Pelant navigated through an array of unfortunate recent events, such as unexpected deaths of family members, serious illnesses and struggles with sobriety. Pelant wrote about his adverse experiences and recorded songs, which cover the bleak and the silver linings with "Double Life."

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The raw and cinematic songs will be showcased Tuesday, Sept. 9 at xBk Live in Des Moines. "I had a lot going on in my life with my partner and her family," Pelant said while calling from his Minneapolis home. "It was a difficult period, but there's productive ways you work your way through it."

The trials and tribulations are all over "Double Life." It works out sonically and lyrically as Night Moves has crafted its finest album. The ambitious effort, which is the band's first album since 2019's "Can You Really Find Me," eclipses that project, as well as 2016's "Pennied Days."

The latest collection of Pelant tracks includes big grooves, catchy synthesizer and rich harmonies. It took a decade, but Night Moves, which also includes guitarist Charles Murlowski, bassist Micky Alfano and drummer Mark Hanson, has finally reached its potential.

The album, which was inspired by such late icons as Glen Campbell and Graham Parsons, boasts a combination of retro and contemporary sounds. The breezy "Daytona" has the sound of a summertime classic. "Almost Perfect" quietly screams early '80s with its dreamy synth, and "State Sponsored Psychosis" is a clever cut with a pretty falsetto.

"Desperation" is an atmospheric gem that is the 11th track on the album. Albums with cuts 11 deep are uncommon these days.

However, Night Moves is an indie rock exception along the lines of bands such as Car Seat Headrest and Wednesday.

"The funny thing is that we had way more than 11 songs set to go for this album," Pelant said. "I had about 22 songs. They all felt good, but we could only do 11 songs."

It'll be curious to see which of those songs see the light of day since Pelant said he doesn't want to make a second "Double Life." Pelant wrote all of the songs but didn't name the album.

"Our guitar player, Chuck, came up with the title," Pelant said. "I wanted to call it "The Gum Drops," but we all saw that wasn't the right vibe. Chuck said it should be called 'Double Life' and that always felt so appropriate."

Expect Night Moves to make albums like "Double Life" as opposed to EPs with a handful of tunes.

"We like to take people on a journey, and you do that by making an album," Pelant said. "I don't want to make an album where everything sounds the same. When we made this album, we made a conscious effort to have a lot of colors and tonal palettes. That way it's more interesting for the listener and for the band."

Night Moves ignores what's happening sonically. "I try to never pay attention to trends,“ Pelant said. "I never wanted to be part of a scene or anything like that. I just do my own thing. That's the only way I know how to do it."