Mono - "Walking Cloud And Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered And The Sun Shined" (Temporary Residence 2004)
Mono - "Walking Cloud And Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered And The Sun Shined" (Temporary Residence 2004)
From Aural Innovations #29 (October 2004)
This all instrumental 4 piece (two guitars, bass, drums) band from Japan take you out on some sonic journeys. You will be reminded of bands like God Speed You Black Emperor, the Spacious Mind, and others, who know how to make a long mellow building trip interesting and intense. This CD was produced by Steve Albani (Big Black). The CD opens with the 10 minute long, "16,12". "Mere Your Pathetique Light" has one beautiful guitar line while another guitar layers in feedback that growls in the background as the music floats away. This would be really cool live with some great images! "Halcyon" reminded me a bit of some of the stuff by Windy and Carl before the intense stuff kicks in. "2 Candles, 1 Wish" is a 2½ minute mellow piano based piece. Very beautiful and depressing in a way. "Lost Snow" was the highlight of the CD for me, a 15 minute journey. The CD closes with another piano based piece, "A Thousand Paper Cranes".
This is pretty much one of those late night CDs for sure with really cool floating dreamy material but sometimes quite heavy in nature.
For more information you can visit the Mono web site at: http://www.mono-44.com.
Email at: mono@mono-44.com.
Reviewed by Scott Heller