Having seen this band support Brand New back in early 2004, I never gave much thought to this band or their music and brushed them aside as another support band. Looking back that was definately a mistake. This album is, for me, the reason why. Long, swaying vocal melodies that will firmly embed themselves in your head are found in abundance whilst listening to this album. This album sounds nothing like that which i heard live almost five years ago and this is definately something that I appreciate. This is not because their earlier music was poor, it is simply a progression from their music in 2004.
Something that more and more bands are shying away from today is progression into something new whilst holding the roots that made the band who they originally were. Quick songs with catchy hooks seem to be the way forward and on the whole people are buying it. It is becoming harder to find albums that progress and get better every time you listen to it. With this album Moneen have joined the likes of bands like Thrice, who are not scared to move forwards but relish the opportunity of making something a little different.
This album has everything. Hard hitting guitars, intricate lead guitar lines, sweeping vocal melodies and a message which is thought provoking. Again moving away from the cheap frills of emptiness found on most records which struggle to stay out of the bedroom. As one thinks so he is.
The band fires into “Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do” and this song is fast yet smooth at the same time. Its a classic opening track and shows hints of what is to come throughout the rest of the album. Just shyof three minutes long, this is a great opening track. The long vocal throughout the chorus really standing out throughout the whole song.
Both Kenny Bridges and Chris Hughes connect really well at a vocal level throughout this album, writing melodies which really suit their vocal ranges and vocal styles and this adds to the natural sound that comes across on every track of this album.
Other songs to look out for on this album are ” The Day No One Needed To Know”, ” The Frightening Reality Of The Fact That We Will All Have To Grow Up And Settle Down One Day”, “The East Has Stolen What The West May Want” and album closer “The Song I swore To Never Sing”.
On the whole this is a very well written album and with every listen you will find new things that you didn’t notice before and that is one of the things i love about this album. Give it time and it wont disappoint. If you don’t have time you can always dig through the bargain bins at your local HMV.
