Mono with The Twilight Sad @ Bowery Ballroom 5.30.10

This show had just about dropped off my radar, but luckily it came up at rehearsal and I managed to snag a ticket. Long time sufferers of JS-NYC may remember my fondness for the discordant stylings of Aereogramme and Glasvegas (and Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus and Mary Chain and a gang of others). Combining that mood in The Twilight Sad with the soaring instrumental stylings of Mono is a fine way to spend a holiday Sunday night from where I'm sitting.

I wasn't mistaked. I got to the show in the middle of the the opening Twilight Sad number and was pretty pleased with their offering. Their quiet-loud thing gets a little transparent after a couple doses in a row, but it's a beautiful noise to behold. In other notes, there is an interesting tendency in the TS franchise to start acquiring the same haircut a couple of weeks into the tour. The prison cuts that they highlighted on their last visit, combined with their collective ghostly pallor smacked of alcoholic inspiration but I'm not sure what accounts for 3/4 of the band sporting the same Jonny Greenwood haircut. Maybe they got a deal, either way a great band that deserves much success.

Mono were up next. I found Brandon and Theresa stage right and got ready for the onslaught. These Mono shows were behind a new CD/DVD set from last year's shows with The Wordless Music Orchestra called Holy Ground: NYC Live, although they featured only conventional four piece lineup. Rather than dance too much about architecture here, suffice to say that Mono live is a pretty epic proposition. I'm pretty sure this is the set list

Ashes in the Snow / Burial at Sea / The Kidnapper Bell / Pure as Snow / Sabbath / Yearning / Follow the Map / Halcyon (Beautiful Days) / Everlasting Light

I've been slacking in getting this posted, so by this point anybody in the US has missed out on these shows. Forgive me, but that really is your loss, kids. Apologize to those that are geographically challenged. Keep track of future Mono dates here and Twilight Sad goings-on here. In the interim, consider buying the new Mono record here. Those that prefer their songs with vocals might also be interested in the new Twilight Sad single that you can get here. You're welcome.

R

LIve: Mono with Maserati @ Bowery 9.28.9

I had to miss the last set of Mono shows due to being broke as the proverbial motherfucker, but wasn't about to let that happen this time around. Brandon and Theresa had seen them the night previously in Philly and had warned that they were firing on all cylinders, so I went out of my way to get to Bowery in a timely fashion.

I posted up stage level to catch what was either the end of the Maserati set or one hell of a step aerobics class for the Pitchfork set. Maserati have one hell of a drummer and sound like Tortoise with a dance music jones. Not bad, but a little too close to the much better on paper than headphone Battles for my taste. The songs I heard will probably have me checking out their records down the line, but they sound like a band that I'd say were ok to try to kiss a girl rather than anything I'd rave truthfully about.

Mono were up in short order, setting up their own gear for the most part and greeting a good sized group of regulars that seemed to be attending all the shows. Seeing Mono for the first time, I can see why they have such a rabid following. Louder than creation when they need to be, but just as likely to purvey more pastoral fare, the band shows great taste and restraint in their live shows. 3/4 of the band sat for the lion's share of the performance, standing when necessary to make guitar or amp scream appropriately, but equally as intense in either position. The set lasted just over an hour, causing a few casualties early on in the set, but conjuring up gold for the duration of the sonic maelstrom. Their ability to conjure beauty from volume and dissonance without degenerating into full-on art noise sets them head and shoulders apart from bands like Explosions In The Sky and putting them in the upper echelon with bands like Daturah and Envy. Ear protection was a must, but Mono are a must-see regardless of performance volume. There are a few dates left on the US tour, check them here and see them if they come within a state or two of your ears.

R

Skyscraper #30 - Out Now!

Hey Kids:

If you are one of the scant few that likes to hold something in their hands while they read (get your mind out of the damn gutter, ingrate) Skyscraper #30 is out now.

Look for my feature with Maine doom merchants Ocean 

and record reviews of the following gems:

Bloodkin - Baby They Told Us We Would Rise Again
Joey Cape - Bridge
Coin Under Tongue - Coin Under Tongue/Hussies At Bay
Git Some - Cosmic Rock
The Holy Ghostriders - Fast Track Heart Attack
Monikers - Wake Up
Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind
Say Hi - Oohs and Aahs
Zombi - Spirit Animal

I review books and DVDs, too.
Like these, same issue even.

100 Best Metal Guitarists by Joel McIver

You Idiot by Nate Ganglehoff

House Of The Rising Punk (DVD)

In sadder notes, Skyscraper is giving up it's print presence to be purely a web entity. It's a shame, but I'm sure that Andrew and Peter will do their usual great job. Look forward to more news as things come together.

R