CD Review: Monody - Of Iron And Clay

Written by Vera Petrij Thursday, 05 May 2011 11:15

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Artist: Monody
Title: Of Iron And Clay
Genre: Electro-pop / Synth-pop
Release Date: 29th April 2011
Label: Remote Music

Album Review

American band MONODY was founded in Portland in 2006 and managed to capture the attention of electronic music fans locally and abroad. The band gives much attention to impress the audience during live performances and their efforts haven’t passed unnoticed - they have already supported SPETSNAZ and OBSCENITY TRIAL in the U.S. Tour. Furthermore, in an effort to reinvent the live experience, MONODY has also developed an iPhone application that allows fans to use their devices to interactively perform with the band during a concert. Now the time for their debut album has come, which digital release features two remixes (including one by ASSEMBLADGE 23) and a full digital PDF booklet.

The album commences with melodious synth-pop track ‘Bound’, that is followed by catchy and passionate ‘Your King’ embellished with interesting melody lines and unexpected hook in the chorus. Dynamic ‘Ends And The Means’, which chorus arrangements bear a resemblance to some eighties music, raises the tempo a bit and shares the band’s views on thoughtless following the imposed rules with a conclusion that “ends don't justify the means”. ‘Hauteur’ reveals impressive might of emotional clear vocals of Geoff Tripoli. The energetic beat of the next ‘The Crime’ guarantees the song high dance floor capability, while space-sounding synths in the ending freshen it up. ‘In Between’ deepens the atmosphere and one more time proves MONODY’s ability to create intricate melody development. A beautiful ballad ‘Thanks To You’ continues slowing down the pace with its atmospheric vast sound textures.

‘The Trap’ is a very AND ONE-esque instrumental track, beginning with rather vague sounds and gradually acquiring strong marching rhythms backing the voice samples. Enchanting atmospheric ‘Disremembered’ starts with insinuating ethereal sounds, then the beat phases in, sustained on bewitching synths backdrops, and finally the voice releases its power to drown in the rising tide of the extensive synth layers that flows into the following ‘Ceti Lullaby’, which can hardly be called a lullaby due to its eruptive energetic rhythm invasions in the chorus, where Geoff demonstrates his ability to sing in coarser manner, and the sawing drillings in the middle of the song. Unlike the previous track, ‘Burning Emotive’ perfectly fits its title, being extremely emotional and atmospheric song. Quite leisurely ‘Absent’ contains a remarkable instrumental interlude with swelling spherical sounds and distorted electric guitar aptly fitted into sound context.

The closer ‘House Of Cards’ is one of the highlights of the album, with disquieted and anxious beginning, bursting into vigorous refrain, which is interrupted by alienated instrumental inclusion to slowly fade away to the accompaniment of gentle piano in the ending. All this together with expressive Geoff’s vocals perfectly convey discrepant feelings that one experiences in the end of relationship, that is described in the lyrics. All in all, MONODY can be congratulated with a very strong debut. Despite quite a lot of references that can be noticed while listening, the band has all the potential to develop their own unique style, the seeds of which have already been sown on ‘Of Iron And Clay’. The album is very solid, emotional, smooth to listen and filled with meaningful lyrics. Surely, an extremely attractive piece for every synth-pop fan and good music lover.


Tracklist

01. Bound
02. Your King
03. Ends And The Means
04. Hauteur
05. The Crime
06. In Between
07. Thanks To You
08. The Trap
09. Disremembered
10. Ceti Lullaby
11. Burning Emotive
12. Absent
13. House Of Cards


Line-up

Geoff Tripoli - Vocals, Lyrics
Daniel Edgar - Synths, Music
David Battrick - Drums, Percussion


Website

http://www.myspace.com/monodypdx / www.monodyweb.com


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10