Artist : Monoceros
Album : I Feel Apocalyptic Today
Year : 2008
Genre : Electronic
Quality : 243kbps / 44.1KHz / Joint Stereo
Source : CD
Playtime : 1h 04m
Size : 116.8mb
Label : Imaginary Nonexistent Records
Catalognr : inr008cd
Tracklist:
01. Moment Of Light 5:29
02. Little Cowboys 5:00
03. Life In A Fishbowl {Are They* Watching Us?} 4:37
04. 6EQUJE 6:08
05. When The Trees Sleep 5:11
06. How Was The Earth? {Mother} 6:20
07. Escape From Gravity 7:00
08. The Rain Song 5:47
09. The Hymn Without Song {Father} 6:30
10. Untitled 12:49
Releasenotes:
Track 12 doesn't appear on the jacket so I tagged it as Untitled.
Joan MalΘ has been making sumptuously pristine electronica under the Monoceros
name for a number of years now, initially hitting my radar by way of 2006's
Imaginary EP (which incidentally still sounds as warm and comforting as the day
I heard it). In a scene that isn't particularly renowned for its brash
self-promotion, the Spanish native has made scant few waves over here, save for
a rare live appearance in Brixton three years ago. Things could be about to
change however with the release of his third album proper, a marked leap
forwards in scope and grandeur, which introduces guitars both acoustic and
electric to fine effect, resulting in truly beautiful forward thinking
electronica.
It's not as if there are no reference points for this approach though; over in
Iceland Stafrµnn Hßkon has been moulding his initial ambient-guitar forays into
a full on band sound with more than a slight nod to the Album Leaf. Even
stalwarts like Susumu Yokota have begun heading in a decidedly organic
direction. Monoceros stands out here though by keeping his music firmly rooted
in the electronic production techniques he utilises so well, using
instrumentation to bolster his melodies and deepen the listener's emotional bond
rather than attempting what would have been a step too far into full-on
instrumentation and traditional song structures.
I Feel Apocalyptic Today continues the refinement of his sound from 2006's Tales
For Silent Nights, happily easing the glitchy bleeps into the background to let
the real essence of the tracks shine through. Opener Moment of light adds an
unexpected chugging low-end riff under the simple acoustic line as shimmering
processed flourishes smooth it all off, while Little cowboys central loop is
reminiscent of The Books' wonky ear for melody. The album drops to languidly
drifting ambience on the gorgeous When the trees sleep, which demonstrates the
tasteful nature of MalΘ's guitar work - a level of quality that continues over
the course of the record.
It's towards the end that a deliberate change in dynamic is introduced. How was
the earth [mother] leaps from the speakers with soaring delay-soaked guitar and
great washes of processed synth, while Escape from gravity imagines
65daysofstatic jamming on opiates; all confident, live-sounding drums and a
triumphant wall of noise that dissolves effortlessly into squalling distortion.
Its greatly affecting music made with real depth of heart and its out there now
just waiting to be discovered. I can only urge you to invest some time in this
album, for it will surely be rewarded with shivers up the spine and an
optimistic smile. Little gems like this have a habit of keeping one going
through the cold winter months, when the warmth of home seems like the best
option and hopes for the future are allocated that touch more importance in the
minds of dreamers everywhere.
Jody White, noripcord.com