Artist: The Monsters of Folk
Album: The Monsters of Folk
Worth Buying? Yes indeed.
You might be interesting this album if you are a fan of: Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, She and Him, and........Mike Mogis?
Tell Me More: It's funny you know, I am not a fan of Bright Eyes. I listened to the latest album by My Morning Jacket and didn't get that into it. I listened to a bit of She and Him and wasn't all that intrigued by it (even though everyone was telling me to check it out).....and prior to hearing this album, I had no idea who Mike Mogis is.....so it's funny that I should start finding myself being enamored to an album that features members from all three of these groups (along with Mr Mogis) as a "Supergroup" with the humorous moniker of "The Monsters of Folk".
The Monster's line up is Connor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Yim Yames (Morning Jacket) M. Ward (best known for collaborating with Zooey Deschanel on She and Him). Rounding off the line up is Mike Mogis (an engineer and multi instrumentalist who has worked in the past with both Oberst and Ward).
A quick look at the album credits show that this is not a couple of Oberst songs here, a couple James songs there, etc, etc.
The 4 Monster's have written all the songs together as a four way collaboration. They have also played all the instruments themselves (taking turns on various instruments) with no outside players.
Stylistically this album is all over the map, so what's really impressive is just how cohesive it sounds. In the opening track entitled: Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) matters of the spirit are discussed over a white boys playing old school R&B style vibe.
Dear God ...I'm trying hard to reach you.
Dear God....I see your face in all I do
Sometimes ...it's hard to believe in
But God....I know you have your reasons
Track two entitled, Say Please jumps right into classic rock (as in Rockin') territory and track 3 entitled Whole Lotta Losin (I can't help but feel that that title is a pun on Whole Lotta Love) moves into a fun early rock/americana vibe......Like I said, all over the map but it sounds like the same group with each song.
This is another one of those albums where I previewed the 30 seconds tracks on Amazon and was sold on just the 30 second previews.
When Crosby, Still's and Nash, first got together and released that first CSN album it was like lightning in a bottle. And while this album sounds nothing like it I feel a similar kind of excitement when I listen to it. These four individual artists got together and did something that they couldn't have done apart and in the process, they caught lighting in bottle. I don't if there will be a follow MOF album. Sometimes you can only capture lightning once. But if there is, I will certainly be curious to find out.
What about the packaging? The CD is packaged in a beautiful mini LP gatefold sleeve that includes very nice artwork, and lyrics booklet with art and photos.
TJR 10/21/09
Currently 8.99 for the mp3 version
Currently the CD is only 7.99 so get it on CD instead
Unless you would rather have it on vinyl (comes with fee mp3 version)
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