The original versions of these songs are so perfect to so many that it seems criminal to have them reassembled by parties unconnected with those who Mono have touched over the years. From a purely artistic perspective, DJ Olive the Audio Janitor's take on 'Halo' is a dub-inflected delight complete with ghostly and indecipherable vocals, and Raz Mesinai's glitch-riddled reworking of the mighty 'com?' differs greatly from the original masterpiece, progressing from a static-slighted wander through post-rock into a tribal-drummed piece akin to something 65daysofstatic might create if they'd grown up in Africa rather than Yorkshire.
But the question remains: why? Why bother reinterpreting music that is already so majestic? Why release a record that sounds far from complete, a number of its tracks seemingly created in a lunchbreak? Contributions from Calla and Jackie-O Motherfucker are largely forgetful, and as a whole New York Soundtracks comes far from recommended. Buy as a stopgap if you're hardcore, but otherwise let this slip through the cracks.
Mono - New York Soundtracks
Mono > Mogwai
for me.
Mono - New York Soundtracks
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
I haven't seen em live, but on record they sound very much like a band imitating another band ripping off Mogwai.
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
However, I reckon Mono ultimately win out because of one thing: Have you seen their bassist. I could die happy if I could spend one minute with my face buried in her bosoms...
Mono - New York Soundtracks
Mono - New York Soundtracks
Mono - New York Soundtracks
also, i've seen both of them live a couple of times and mono just performed better; braithwaite and co just seeming to be going through the motions.
(i am fully aware that this is an unpopular opinion, i have friends who are huge fans of the 'gwai)
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
Mono are good. Very good infact. I enjoyed their live show immensely when I saw them a few months back.
But for them to say they have only ever heard "Young Team" from Mogwai's releases is utter bullshit. I do not feel these 2 bands can be compared. One would not exist if the other did not.
And to say Mogwai are Slint rip-offs - FUCK OFF! Name 2 tracks that are similar! Slint are an obvious influence on them yes but there it stays.
Looking forward to hearing this Mono release though.
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
but if mono claim to have only heard Young Team then i believe them. people are always saying my band sounds like idlewild, which i accept, i love(d) idlewild; but also we get a lot of comparisons to Spy vs Spy, and to some people's disbelief none of us have ever heard any of their stuff.
it is possible that their mogwai-isms have come from another source.
Mono - New York Soundtracks
not that big of a fan.
got this last year at the rescue rooms gig.
not that impressive.
are there any new tracks on this re-release?
Mono - New York Soundtracks
I have no problems with repetetive music, or reliance on quiet-loud dynamics, but the fact of the matter is that most of their songs are utterly unremarkable.
Mono - New York Soundtracks
as far as mogwai/slint/mono are concerned: mogwai may well be influenced by slint but they sound hardly anything like them. those who think they do presumably put their cds back in the wrong cases. and whilst mono are a top band, mogwai are surely in a league of their own by this stage.
Re: Mono - New York Soundtracks
it too is a waste of time.
Mono - New York Soundtracks