Monochromie-Angels and Demons review

Don't get me wrong.  I liked the film adaptation of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" a lot, and the score was incredible.  But, no this review has nothing to do with the film, the book, or the soundtrack.  Today we are looking at the new album from French post-rock act Monochromie.

Monochromie is the product of Wilson Trouvé.  His music shows a unique perspective on the post-rock genre, presenting numerous attitudes and textures through the musical landscape.  This variety is what makes Monochromie one of the best post-rock artists around in my opinion.  Airy ambient structures collide with more earthen live instrumentals and keyboards, which are at times distorted beyond recognition.  These opposing viewpoints, between light and bleak atmospheres, creates an impressive melody that at times flows like placid waters and at others like jumbles of boulders.  Chaos is interspersed with calm.  This texture may sound disjointed, but it works remarkably well. 

Citing influences ranging from Explosions in the Sky to Frederic Chopin to Franz Schubert, Monochromie is well-versed in several styles of music, including ambient, electronic, post-rock and even classical.  This variety is presented well throughout the album.

"Angels and Demons" relies on electronic ambient spheres of music played in tandem with heavily distorted live instruments to create melody, which is a tactic many post-rock bands employ.  This album has no vocals.  The music at times sounds uplifting and proud, and at others downtrodden and sad.  These kinds of contrasts are present at every turn during this album.  I can proudly give this album better marks than many of the other post-rock albums I have reviewed of late.  This is on par with Hammock's new offering, and even better than Inner Trip and Ana Never.  I highly recommend this music to fans of down tempo and electronic music, as well as the average fan not experienced in post-rock. 

Check out the full album stream, courtesy of Monochromie's bandcamp page below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!!

Mono-For my Parents

Consider the line between atmospheric post rock and neoclassical contemporary music blurred.  Japan's Mono have delivered an epic worth the price. 

This is high praise for a band that until a few months ago I had never even heard of.  I happened across a preview track on a blog I regularly visit and was impressed with what I heard, even from such a small sample.  Mono's newest album, For my Parents, was released a week ago, and it has taken me that long to listen to it and offer my thoughts.

Mono successfully blends ambient and atmospheric soundscapes with orchestral majesty in thier new album.  I defy anyone to find a post rock outfit quite like Mono.  Yes, at times Joy Wants Eternity, another band I have raved about, comes close.  Mono is most often compared to post rock stalwarts Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky, but in my opinion they offer generous helpings of delicious melody in forms that the aforementioned bands don't quite replicate.

Listening to this album, I couldn't help thinking that this music was from a film, because it definitely sounds like it could have.  Amid the sweeps of symphony and the reflective, reverb-laden, ambiance the band occaionally introduces harmonic guitar plucking and sparse drum patterns. 

This album ought to be a staple in any worthy post rock CD collection.  I was slightly disappointed to find out that this album only offers up six tracks, but those six tracks amount to nearly a full hour of music.  All you have to do is press play, sit back, relax, and enjoy.  I'll give For my Parents an incredible 4.9/5 stars.  Give it a listen below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Joy Wants Eternity-The Fog is Rising

Post-Rock is a genre of music I have started to get into the last few months.  That isn't to say I hadn't heard post-rock before, just that I didn't know what I was listening to was indeed post-rock.  As far as genre tag labels can take you, Seattle's Joy Wants Eternity is an ambient post-rock band.  I didn't know this when I first discovered them, as to me, thier tunes sounded shoegaze-ey (yeah, I admit that isn't a word).

The Fog is Rising is a long-awaited six-track album that succeeds in bending minds.  The first thing you notice when you start with Our Backs into the Wind is drums that provide neither rhythm nor beat.  This is standard for most post-rock, so I will get to the most noticeable aspect of Joy Wants Eternity's sound.  Many of thier melodies are deeply rooted in atmospheric ambiance played mostly through effects-heavy, looping guitars interspersed with some keyboards to carry the swells of the music.

After the opening song, we are treated with the title track, wich I consider to be a standout on the album.  Echoing guitar tones underline off-kilter drum sections brilliantly, creating a sonic tapestry that evokes more emotion than most emo-core bands do. 

As with most post-rock, Joy Wants Eternity has  no vocals.  They are in some ways comparable to Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai, but incorporate more ambient soundscapes.  Even if you are not a big  post-rock fan, there is plenty to be enjoyed here.  This is another highly recommended album, earning a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars.  Take a listen to Our Backs into the Wind below.