When the Wave (that indie-emo era in the 2000s and 2010s) took place, Moving Mountains carved out a special place in my heart. Warm, alternative rock that worked in post-hardcore, post-rock and elements that would influence bands like Elder Brother and Prawn in due time. I was shocked when they dropped a new album, Pruning of the Lower Limbs, as I was playing their older records like Pneuma, Waves and their self-titled just a few months back. Well, they're reunited and it feels so good, especially because the New York band have delivered something, that while not overly-special, is still solid. Their best? Nah, but worthwhile, amid its flaws.

The opening segment is very much vintage Moving Mountains. From the soft-to-loud mixed dynamic of "Ghosts" to the shimmery shoegaze vibe of "Cars," it's warmth, comfort and heart and soul. Granted, I still think, while these earnest jams are fit for college radio, the band would be better off going more aggressive, per older songs like "Alleviate." Some songs blend too closely into each other, so maybe shifting arrangements down the line could offset this.

That said, the darker, moodier songs like "Everyone Is Happy, and Nothing Is Good" is where they best hang their hats. It's a feather in the cap in terms of emblematic tracks on the record. The same for "Voices," where simplicity works. They harp on eclectic guitars and rhythms and melodies that really pay homage to the band's past. But, as mentioned above, that intense fury is something I want explored more. "Snow" is a great example, echoing something from bands like Thursday. This also works well with the acoustic "Blue" which finds the band playing to its biggest strength: vocalist, Gregory Dunn, crooning and sounding better than ever. It helps that the production is so clean and tight, too. If the record was more balanced, I'd easily be giving this four stars. 

Ultimately, Moving Mountains wear a familiar jacket here in what's another emotive novel on life and love. I do hope they rough it up a bit more down the line, tour, stick together and evolve. The potential this band has is exponential and I feel like while this is a slow step forward, it's still positive and can yield big results later down the line if they stop playing it safe (respectfully).