[3] Formed in 1999, The Caribbean began as a songwriting and recording project between members of Washington, D.C. indie rock and post-punk acts Townies and Smart Went Crazy.
[4] Townies singer-guitarist Michael Kentoff and drummer-guitarist Matthew Byars joined Smart Went Crazy drummer Tony Dennison and began writing and arranging new songs to record.
[8] Western Australian experimental label Hidden Shoal Recordings releases The Caribbean’s less pop-song-oriented music, including a 2009 remix of the group's 2007 album, Populations, by producer/engineer Scott Solter (who has worked with John Vanderslice, Okkervil River, Fred Frith, and The Mountain Goats).
In its review, the Washington Post compared the band to Scritti Politti, Talking Heads, and Caetano Veloso, describing them as a "quietly extraordinary DC trio."
Denver Post Arts & Entertainment reporter John Wenzel tweeted that the record was "an early contender for Album of the Year," and the All Music Guide review stated that "When Moon Sickness settles in on fresh ears, the Caribbean's sometimes disorienting take on pop becomes as infectious as it is unique."
The Utne Reader also debuted another song from Moon Sickness on release day, "Electric Bass," which featured contributions by Christopher Porterfield of Wisconsin band Field Report.