First Reviews for the Red Tree Rolling In. March 17th, 2006
The first couple reviews for The Red Tree are in. Check them out below.
EMOTIONALPUNK.COM
8/10
A band warranting underground success with their stunning live
performances, Moneen are now defining themselves as more than a band whose
live act is beyond exemplary. Their last album, ‘Are We Really Happy With
Who We Are Right Now?’ defined the band as outside of the status-quo, with
often off-the-wall song dynamics and structure; but with ‘The Red Tree,’
the band’s extraordinary live energy is transcribed and documented by an
intense studio recording.
The 11 songs on ‘The Red Tree’ were, in fact, so intensely transcribed,
that pedals and amplifiers literally went up in smoke during the many
months in which it was recorded. The instant the album kicks off, a
shockwave of sonic guitar energy immediately aims to redefine the band’s
sound, and as the songs progress, more and more of these sonic guitar
sounds are revealed.
And despite all the noise and chaos, another thing that really strikes the
listener is the often brilliant harmonies the singer pulls off. The vocal
melodies are, by themselves, catchy and vibrant, and often backed up by
one or more voices, adding yet another layer to the complex sound on ‘The
Red Tree.’ Vocally, the album is just as infectious as it is melodious,
and the soaring vocal melodies on songs like ‘Don’t Ever Tell Locke What
He Can’t Do’ or the powerful, brooding chorus of ‘The Politics Of Living
And The Shame In Dying’ do nothing but encapsulate the listener with an
experience previously unheard of.
Technically, the album is as complex and detailed and is some of the most
spirited, noisy guitar work I have heard since The Receiving End Of
Sirens’ latest. ‘The Frightening Reality Of The Fact That We Will All Have
To Grow Up And Settle Down One Day’ unveils some of the most vigorous
guitar work on the album’and the intense riffing is literally stunning.
Shoegazed, shimmering guitar structures remind one of bands from the
mid-90’s My Bloody Valentine epidemic, even.
And even when the record isn’t blasting off its sonic, animated guitar
techniques (which isn’t too often) the slower ballads (namely ‘There Are A
Million Reasons For Why This May Not Work… And Just One Good One For Why
It Will’ or ‘The Song I Swore To Never Sing’) bring out pianos and a sort
of epic display of the band’s capacity to write soft, lovely pop hooks.
Moneen might not be your favorite band yet’or a band you have even
listened to. If you’ve seen them live, you know what I’m talking about
when I say they have an extreme energy in their live performance. ‘The Red
Tree’ further continues the band’s ability to write songs that are outside
of the box, yet accessible to anyone who enjoys a pleasant
pop-sensibility’all the while better documenting their live energy. And
yet, the experimental, avant-garde, and utterly shocking guitar renditions
and sounds on this album are alone enough to compel even the choosiest of
music fans.
reviewed by Andrew Martin
ABSOLUTEPUNK.COM
Far too many people are sitting in front of their computers right now and
saying, “Who are Moneen?”
That’s unfortunate because if they don’t get with the program in the next
month, they’re not going to be picking up Moneen’s new album, The Red
Tree, on April 11th. That just means they’re going to feel really stupid
(yet finally fulfilled) when they have to go back to their store at some
point during the rest of the year to purchase it.
So if I just described you, and you don’t know who Moneen are yet - this
is your warning. I’ve written this review in far enough advance to give
you time to act like you know what’s up.
The album doesn’t waste anytime kicking things into high gear - so I’m not
going to either.
Blistering drums, clever guitar licks, and melody to boot. These Canadians
find a way to make music that can described as very fitting for a Vagrant
band. Their album is crafted in a complete package to deliver the listener
a feeling of fulfillment.
Their long song titles make it difficult to type them out in this review
to highlight my favorites; so I am going to take the shortcut and just say
tracks 2, 8, and 12 are the stand out tracks (among an album full of great
songs).
The band members trade vocals - bleed two or three songs in a row together
- and the songs speak as stories. Artistry at it’s finest, coupled with
music that begs to be played loud. Full-time air-guitar duties are most
certainly needed. Even the slow, soft, melodic songs have an hint of
aggression within them - almost begging to be released.
Repetition of vocals, soft screams, and the subtleties many bands lack all
come together to form an extremely coherent album from Moneen that even
surpasses their already superb debut.
For Fans Of
The Get Up Kids [Something to Write Home..], Matchbook Romance [Voices]
It’s hard to write a “For Fans Of” list for a band that truly doesn’t
sound much like any of their peers. Just listen to it - I think you’ll
like it.
Category: Moneen
