Monsters of Folk: Monsters of Folk

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"Cross Collaboration,” “Super Group,” call it whatever, Monsters of Folk simply sound good…real good.  Conor Oberst, Jim James (Yim Yames), Mike Mogis and M. Ward have all established themselves as artists to reckon with in this new millennium and they gathered back in 2004 to start tossing ideas around. Their self-titled album was released this month; it is an enchanting mix of guitar strums, wonderin’ blues and flat out gorgeous vocals.

Surprisingly the opener is the weakest track: “Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)” sounds like a disenchanted diary entry backed by harps and drum machines.  Things pick up instantly on “Say Please,” which swings in rhythm with electric guitar flourishes and from there the record doesn’t look back.  The mystical group harmonies on “Temazcal,” pedal steel of “The Right Place,” dark country twang of “Man Named Truth,” catchy rock of “Ahead of the Curve” and “Losin Yo Head”- all are excellent.  These songs are built around the four voices but the lyrics also hold their own. “It’s a road that you paved/over Indian graves/and you wonder why your dreams are crazed” from “Maps of the World” is just one example. 

Imprints of The Band are everywhere; from the multiple vocalists singing down-home lyrics, to the melding of various instrumentation.  Surely the foursome worked hard on this release, but the results sound joyous and effortless, like a group of old friends singing around a campfire. Pull up a log, grab a cold one and enjoy.  

Ahead of the Curve (album) – Monsters Of Folk

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