The Sun, the Moon & the Sea is the first full-length album from Mason Brothers, and it showcases the brothers' acoustic leanings, with elaborate finger-picked guitars, splashes of lap steel, percussion, and piano. Also featured on this record are the brothers' stark, imagistic, yet hopeful lyrics.

Brothers Christian and James Mason hail from Richmond, Virginia, where they have recently started work as university professors in Applied Mathematics and Writing, respectively. Mason Brothers are currently playing shows in support of this release and will be working on a second full-length in 2008 – this time turning up the volume with their six piece band.

The story of Mason Brothers begins with solo work of James Mason.  In 2003, James released a solo album entitled Carnival Sky; several tracks on this record feature James’ brother, Christian Mason. The subtle beauty of Carnival Sky was affirmed in reviews from all over the United States, drawing favorable comparisons to the late Nick Drake, the late Elliott Smith, and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. The record even made a splash overseas, with reviews and orders coming in from as far away as Greece, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

The brothers went on to play a string of shows in Virginia, DC, and North Carolina, opening up for acts such as Magnolia Electric Company (Songs: Ohia) and Mates of State. Even without extensive touring the record made an impact, charting on CMJ reporting radio stations. Everyone involved was pleasantly surprised with the level and nature of the attention—attention created with minimal, grassroots publicity.               

Spendid, Tim Lockridge: “Mason offers only the trembling musical core of his work, placing it gently before the listener. It's an album that begs for headphones, a blue sky or a slow drive…it works perfectly.”

Shmat Records, Bryan Y: “With stark, atmospheric song structures that neatly avoid ‘pit of despair’ categorizations paired with an awesome voice that remains weary but never defeated, he has carved out a rightful place for himself among the best home singer-songwriters.”

The Hook, Mark Grabowski: “Mason's writing and singing style are probably easiest to compare to the late Nick Drake's, but influences can be seen of both Elliott Smith and Pink Floyd's problem-ridden Roger Waters. This 10-track acoustic mix of whispered words is one of the best albums I've heard in ages.”

Aiding and Abetting: “Quite simply, this is one well-crafted disc. There's just enough looseness in the playing to keep the feel personal, and the attention to detail keeps the songs from spinning out of control. First rate.”

Actionman Magazine, Michael Carey: “Mason takes a few simple guitar parts, electric piano, sedation drums and a voice that soars slow and soft and crafts an album with depth. James Mason has the goods to claim the dour-pop king crown from Elliott Smith.”

Synthesis, Maurice S. Teilmann: “Carnival Sky’s inherent charm lies in its humility. Not a hint of flash is contained in its mostly acoustic half-hour track list; instead the twinkle of finger-picked steel string guitars and James Mason’s downplayed, husky voice (which rarely rises above a whisper) packs the album’s velvet punch… Think a less vehement Final Cut-era Roger Waters or a folk-pop-y M. Ward.”