Cousteau debuted in 1999 with a self-released, eponymous effort showcasing their chocolate-smooth mix of Bacharach-style songwriting with modernist flourishes of groove and electronics.
The brainchild of veteran songwriter and piano man Davey Ray Moor, Cousteau also included lead vocalist Liam McKahey, guitarist Robin Brown, bassist Joe Peet (who also contributed violin), and drummer Craig Vear.
Their eponymous debut made quite a stir in the band's London home base with ‘The Last Good Day Of The Year’ being the standout track. Soon the independent effort was picked up by Chris Blackwell’s post Island label, Palm Pictures. Cousteau went stateside in 2000, and the combo ruffled feathers with a club tour and received wide critical appreciation of their strong Scott Walker, Roxy Music, and Nick Cave influences.
Cousteau returned in July 2002 with the luxurious, no less ambitious album 'Sirena’. Following the end of the promotional cycle for this album, lead songwriter, Davey Ray Moor, departed the band to pursue his own solo work.
Cousteau released one more album in 2005 with ‘Nova Scotia’ but split soon after.
Their eponymous debut made quite a stir in the band's London home base with ‘The Last Good Day Of The Year’ being the standout track. Soon the independent effort was picked up by Chris Blackwell’s post Island label, Palm Pictures. Cousteau went stateside in 2000, and the combo ruffled feathers with a club tour and received wide critical appreciation of their strong Scott Walker, Roxy Music, and Nick Cave influences.
Cousteau returned in July 2002 with the luxurious, no less ambitious album 'Sirena’. Following the end of the promotional cycle for this album, lead songwriter, Davey Ray Moor, departed the band to pursue his own solo work.
Cousteau released one more album in 2005 with ‘Nova Scotia’ but split soon after.
