"Half Moon Silver" by Hotel

Song#:  0246
Date:  07/12/1980
Debut:  90
Peak:  72
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Pop, Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  The Birmingham, Alabama, power pop group Hotel were popular on the rock club scene in the late 70s. They got a shot at a major label deal when Mercury signed them in 1978. They released one single titled "You'll Love Again" that nicked the chart at #71. It wasn't enough for Mercury to pay attention to them so the group moved over to MCA and issued their self-titled debut album. They did a bit better when the single "You've Got Another Thing Coming" reach #54. It was enough to get a second album done and this title track was the second single and only chart song from the album. This time around it wasn't enough for the label and they were dropped from MCA. They stated on the club circuit for another couple years but eventually disbanded.

ReduxReview:  This is an odd song for a single. I think it is a nice, moody piece and is a definite descendent of Crosby, Stills and Nash via The Eagles. I guess I could see it getting radio attention maybe like Kansas' "Dust in the Wind," but this still seems even more subdued and darker than that hit. Unexpected and interesting.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Two of the founding members of the group later went on to form the band Split in the Dark. The group's video for "Always a Chance" was a winner in the MTV Basements Tapes competition in 1986, but unfortunately it didn't translate to any further success or major label deal.

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