Okay, what we have here is a new record by the Monks Of Doom. This group was formed over thirty years ago by three-fifths of Camper Van Beethoven and a future member of Counting Crows. Now, the band has released their first album in twenty-five years. It’s been so long since they released a disc that none of their previous record labels even exist anymore! I’ve never really even listened to them before on account of their material being difficult to track down.
But what you find here is a very interesting disc. The opening track is a lengthy instrumental with different parts including a breakdown with lots of heavy guitar. The atmospheric “The Bastards Never Show Themselves” actually features the vocals of David Immergluck, and boy, it is a spacey, weird sort of number. Even more so is “Duat! Duat!” which features piano, mandolin, and some trippy guitar tones. If one is looking for the oddest, most out-there record this year, here ya go, you got yourself a winner.
It should be said that if you’re not a fan of largely instrumental records, no matter the quality of musicianship, this record and this band is definitely not for everyone. More than singing, Immergluck basically recites his lyrics and the result is equitable to spoken word with some discordant backing behind him. The one track that is different is “John The Gun,” the most traditional sounding song here. It’s a strong track and definitely stands out from the rest.
Ultimately, while the musicianship here is superb and would make most musicians blush, this record isn’t for everyone, myself included.
