2000 & 9 #7

#7

Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk

-(mof bringing pencil sketch back!)

The much maligned (by me, before it's release) album of indie-folk heroes Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward (She & Him), Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and Mike Mogis (producer extraordinaire) could easily be the super-group album that actually & finally delivers.

For some reason I've never liked the idea of artists I like getting together and making a song or album that sounds exactly like what I'd expect from their respected individual releases. What's the point? There's usually little to no risk involved, the creativity suffers and the listener is left with the same old same old but with a sour taste in their mouth. The interesting thing about Monsters is that each one of the 15 tracks have a signature from the 3 main contributors on the songs they've penned. Yet the songs don't come across as stale or boring. You can tell the M. Ward inspired songs over the Jim James songs, but I like this, it's like a welcome feeling from an old friend, but in a new place.

Most of the album sounds exactly like what you'd expect a collaboration from these indie heavyweights to sound like. But again, it's OK, becuase the songs are legitimately good. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) opens the album as Marvin Gaye could have opened an album in the 70's: a mellow groove accompanied by a fluttering harp arrangement with crisp studio production. - The 3 verses are then sung by each contributor with patient, poignant grace. The song is a beautiful prayer to the man himself & questions God's reasons for allowing pain and suffering to continue in the world.

Dear god, I wish that I could touch you
How strange sometimes I feel I almost do
And then I'm back behind the glass again
Oh god what keeps you out it keeps me in

To be honest, there aren't a whole lot of surprises on the album. But the solid & consistent tracks on offer are enough to return to Monsters time and time again. Unsure if M.O.F. will release another full length LP in the future. They toured successfully shortly after the album's release in September. With the success of the individuals in the group, it's highly unlikely they'll get together & record again anytime soon. The project could go down as a 1 & done success. Fine with me.

Standout track - #8, Goodway