Fin Fang Foom – Monomyth

Words: Gareth O’Malley

The term “monomyth” refers to a pattern that underlies mythical narratives from various cultures: the hero ventures out into the world, contests with forces beyond his ken, and emerges victorious– but also transformed. It may seem that North Carolina-based Fin Fang Foom have chosen quite the lofty (some would say, pretentious) moniker for their third record, but when you take into account what the band have been through over the past six years, you realise that they would have been hard pressed to name it anything else.

Their first drummer, Peter Enriquez, died tragically, and then current guitarist Michael Triplett almost followed him in 2004; he had a near-death experience with spinal meningitis. Most bands would have thrown in the towel, but it is a real testament to Fin Fang Foom’s staying power that they did not split, instead choosing to soldier on. New drummer Mike Glass was brought in, and he makes quite the statement on this album, the band’s first new material sice Enriquez’ death.

The band – that’s Triplett, Glass and Eddie Sanchez (bass, piano, vocals) – announce their return with the driving, bass-led ‘Magnetic North’. Sanchez prefers to let the instruments do the talking, rather than have his vocals take centre stage, something that works quite well for the band. The crisp production also brings into focus their powerful sound.

The post-rock trio are not afraid to take unexpected detours here, however, stepping into post-metal territory on ‘Deathless’ (a track on which there is quite the interesting use of polymetre) and the album’s astonishing title track. Neither do they follow any kind of recognisable formula – certainly not the one that post-rock has become known for i.e. a slow build into a thundering climax. There are as many moments of bruising heaviness here as there are softer moments, like the brooding ‘Lonely Waves’. Case in point is album closer ‘The Great Race of Mercy’, which serves well to highlight the band’s strengths, bringing together the two main elements of their sound to great effect.

This album is quite diverse, and you can really tell that Fin Fang Foom have poured their heart and soul into this, their ‘rebirth’ record. They have been steadily improving since their formation in 1996, and ‘Monomyth’ is a clear indication of there being even bigger things ahead.

8.6

Listen: ‘Magnetic North’ and ‘Exploding Coast’, via the band’s MySpace

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Album: Maybeshewill – Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

ALBUM REVIEW: Maybeshewill – Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony
Words: Gareth O’Malley

Post-rock is undergoing quite a resurgence this year. Codes In The Clouds’ debut album, ‘Paper Canyon’; Mono’s exceptional fifth release, ‘Hymn To The Immortal Wind’; and Tortoise’s impressive new record, ‘Beacons of Ancestorship’ are among 2009’s post-rock highlights. The newest addition to this ever-growing pile comes courtesy of Leicester four-piece Maybeshewill. Preferring to do most of the work themselves (they have stated in many interviews that they are concerned with the state of the mainstream music industry), they have recorded their music at no cost, as imperceptible as that might seem. And what good music it is.

‘Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony’, the band’s second record, lets us know right from the off that there are four exceptionally talented musicians at work. ‘You Can’t Shake Hands With A Clenched Fist’ showcases the band’s heavier side, with blistering riffs aplenty. There’s some time-signature trickery in there too. A definite mini-epic, the song runs to under three minutes, and is quite an impressive beginning. It is far from the high point of the record, however.

‘Co-Conspirators’ comes roaring straight out of the speakers. It thunders along until around a minute-and-a-half in, when piano enters and the song settles down to offer the first real respite in this opening five minutes. Samples are quite a prominent feature on this album, and are used quite effectively. After that relatively laid-back section comes another meter change, and the song draws to a close in stunning fashion.

The standout track on the album, however, is the fourth track, Accept And Embrace. Far and away my song of the year so far, it is much more a piano-based track than the songs that have preceded it. The melodies that feature as it unfolds over six-and-a-half minutes are some of the best that I’ve heard in a while. As guitars, drums, and keyboard come in, and the song gathers pace, you sense that this all has to come to a head somehow. It does – not with your typical post-rock explosion, however. A reprise of the piano part at the beginning of the track builds to a wall of noise. Then, the song fades out unexpectedly, leaving the listener breathless.

‘Our History Will Be What We Make Of It’ features sparse instrumentation. On this occasion, focus is shifted to another sample. It would be quite a forgettable three minutes if it wasn’t so important in the context of the album.

The album’s title track wraps things up in style. A truly devastating listen, it features another sample, this time a scatching attack on the youth of today. “We are young, confident, affluent, and with no memory of tougher times. We have grown up in an era of never-ending financial growth and expected things to stay that way…” By no means an easy listen, it is a fitting finale to an album that is a real roller-coaster ride. Soaring highs (climax of ‘Accept And Embrace’, penultimate track ‘Last Time This Year’) and crushing lows (title track, ‘Our History…’) sit perfectly alongside each other. ‘Sing the Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony’ is an amazingly cohesive album. I didn’t think that Maybeshewill would be able to top their stellar debut, last year’s ‘Not For Want Of Trying’. They have. Onwards and upwards, then, and long may it continue.

9.0

mp3: Maybeshewill – Accept And Embrace (alt)

ALBUM: Mogwai – The Hawk Is Howling
words: Freddy Palmer

First reports on the brand new album from Scottish post-rockers Mogwai suggested that this would be a return to the more noisy affairs of their debut. I can tell you now that,apart from lead single ‘Batcat’, this is not the case. ‘The Hawk Is Howling’ follows much the same route that 2006’s ‘Mr Beast’ took, exploring more of their subdued side.

Despite many fans dislike of this, I rather enjoyed the direction they took, and the current album only improves on this formula. Opener ‘I’m Jim Morrison,I’m Dead’ leads us in with a brilliant, dramatic piano led piece with a hint of guitar-noise just bubbling underneath. The aforementioned noise is then let rip on ‘Batcat’ (anyone who hasn’t seen the video to this should check it out now…creepy!). There is a dip during the middle of the album with songs such as ‘The Sun Smells Too Loud’ and ‘Kings Meadow’ feeling just a little too familiar.

The problem with ‘post-rock’ now is that there seems to be little to be done with it and these songs are representative of the kind of music produced by sub-par Mogwai clones. Despite this the album picks up again in style with the brilliant ‘I Love You,I’m Going To Blow Up Your School’, which ends with blissful,noisy feedback. As elder statesmen of the scene now, they are in danger of slipping into the cycle of churning out the same old stock ideas year after year, but Mogwai avoid this by simply doing what they do amazingly well. Plus, they are still absolutely stunning live.

7.5

PLAY: Mogwai – I Love You, I’m Going To Blow Up Your School
[Buy 'The Hawk Is Howling']

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Mogwai – Batcat
words: Jamie Milton

As we remain on the brink of getting our hands on ‘A Hawk Is Howling’, the noise-means-more Scottish giants Mogwai have given us an ideal taster of things to come.

‘Batcat’ is as creepy as most videos get these days, when they’re at risk of being banned from MTV (*cough* Salt, Pepa and Spinderella!). If you’ve got some sort of obscure phobia of worms or any other creepy crawlies, it’s best just to wait for the musical version of this piece to be unveiled.

For what is is though, Mogwai remain extra loud, extra sharp and extra interesting, despite not being the biggest move onwards from ‘Mr. Beast’, which still took my fancy despite not pleasing all the big Mogwai fans.
Have a little look…if you dare

Batcat

Have a listen to another track taken from ‘A Hawk Is Howling’, the equally impressive ‘The Sun Smells Too Loud’.

PLAY: Mogwai – The Sun Smells Too Loud [Pre-order 'A Hawk Is Howling']