Mono
For My Parents
Temporary Residence
2012
Rating: 7.5 shock troops out of 10
As with most instrumental post-rock bands of this nature, I'm kind of at a loss as to what to say about this new Mono record "For My Parents," especially to those already familiar with their work. When you play the sort of bombastic music these Japanese rockers have been churning out on multiple albums for the past decade or longer, it's kinda hard to differentiate from one set of the music to the next. It's all immaculately played, beautiful stuff. My heart will always rate the first record of theirs I listened to a lot - "One Step More and You Die" - as their finest work, but there is no reason someone couldn't feel the same way about this newest release. I would guess the only real difference is the orchestral strings backing most of the songs, and the level of quiet-loud-quiet bombast that was their early hallmark seems to have been taken down a notch. I think that means the music is prettier and less aggressive, or something along those lines. If Explosions in the Sky are the soundtrack to slow-motion Texas football, Mono feels like the score to a Kurosawa samurai picture (and if that seems racist, I mean it be more geography-ist).
Mono
Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined
Temporary Residence
2004
Rating: 7.5 paper candles out of 10
The third full-length by rising Japanese noise masters Mono,
finds them heading in a bit of an orchestral direction, but without giving up the bombast that makes their songs so
memorable. The band combines the song structure and dynamics of early Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky,
with the sheer volume and waves of sound like My Bloody Valentine were known for. The end result is
overwhelmingly powerful, especially when listened to through headphones at a high volume; and it’s especially
noteworthy if you see the band play live (they’ve come over here to the States twice over the past couple of
years). Last time I saw them, the music hit so powerfully at one point that I thought it might have made my
heart skip a beat. Their recorded material will never quite match up, but with Steve Albini behind the helm
producing, this record may be as close as we ever get.
Mono
One Step More and You Die
Arena Rock Recording Co
2003
Rating: 9 plural deaths out of 10
I have a new religion, and it is Mono. After witnessing
a recent live performance by them, probably the best show I’ve seen all year (and I see a ton of shows), I immediately
rushed to their merch table and bought this amazing release. This foursome from Japan may speak very limited
English, but they fluently speak the international language of kicking ass. I’ve heard a lot of
people say that Mono "out-Mogwai Mogwai!", which I think means Mono is stepping in to bring those loud parts back that Mogwai were once known for. The great thing is that they manage the
best of both worlds, loud rocking and beautiful, orchestrated parts both having airtime on this release, not to mention
the My Bloody Valentine-type of swirly guitars that permeate throughout the entire record. Live they’re
a must see – drop any and all other plans you might have and run, don’t walk to the venue and prepare to have
your eardrums damaged; and while the record will never be able to fully recreate that effect, it does a damn
good job of getting as close as you can in the studio environment.
