post-rock
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Man, I can't wait for Dunk! Festival, especially after they have just announced that Kokomo will be playing there. Coincidental or not, I was actually planning to write this review today when the announcement came in. It is one of those albums that many people are waiting for, including me actually. I really liked these German's previous releases and I was very curious when this suddenly came in.
The album was recorded with three guitar players, something they have been doing on live performance for a while now. That third guitar adds a lot of tension and power to the music, which obviously is a good thing. It lifts the whole to a new level. I also really dig their do-it-yourself approach. Just like their previous efforts, this album is recorded and produced in their self-built studio. That certainly makes it an intensely personal album without outside interference.
In short, I guess it's safe to say that 'Monochrome Noise Love' is a brilliant album, loaded with dark, instrumental rock songs which resemble elaborate journeys and thrive on delightful soundscapes, minor electronics and heavy guitars. I could also say that this definitely is something for fans of Mogwai, Jakob, Caspian, Explosions In The Sky or This Will Destroy You. The whole fits perfectly in that area.
Yet, I do sense a stubborn tendency to create an own sound, perhaps influenced by both the punk-attitude and the current post-metal era. That sound comes extremely close to traditional post rock, but also has a dark, gritty and often harsh atmosphere. Here and there, it might be safe to add a bit of 'sludge' tag to the whole, certainly in the immensely heavy song 'Me vs. Myself', arguably the most crushing piece on this album.
My favorite tracks are opener 'Pills And Pillows', which might as well be the post-rock song of the year, and 'Juengling Mit Apfel', but that was a tough choice to make. Most, if not all, of the songs here are inspiring pieces of immersive music, epic and vivacious in nature. Closer 'Deathmaster Danger Dance' could be another future classic post-rock anthem, as many songs here. Kokomo has evolved and is ready to headline.
Expect this album to resurface on several lists in December of this year. This year I decided to organize my personal list a bit better and this one is going into the 'best-of-2016-so-far' notepad file. For now, nothing is certain but there will have be a lot of good albums to kick this one off the charts...
Serge
The album was recorded with three guitar players, something they have been doing on live performance for a while now. That third guitar adds a lot of tension and power to the music, which obviously is a good thing. It lifts the whole to a new level. I also really dig their do-it-yourself approach. Just like their previous efforts, this album is recorded and produced in their self-built studio. That certainly makes it an intensely personal album without outside interference.
In short, I guess it's safe to say that 'Monochrome Noise Love' is a brilliant album, loaded with dark, instrumental rock songs which resemble elaborate journeys and thrive on delightful soundscapes, minor electronics and heavy guitars. I could also say that this definitely is something for fans of Mogwai, Jakob, Caspian, Explosions In The Sky or This Will Destroy You. The whole fits perfectly in that area.
Yet, I do sense a stubborn tendency to create an own sound, perhaps influenced by both the punk-attitude and the current post-metal era. That sound comes extremely close to traditional post rock, but also has a dark, gritty and often harsh atmosphere. Here and there, it might be safe to add a bit of 'sludge' tag to the whole, certainly in the immensely heavy song 'Me vs. Myself', arguably the most crushing piece on this album.
My favorite tracks are opener 'Pills And Pillows', which might as well be the post-rock song of the year, and 'Juengling Mit Apfel', but that was a tough choice to make. Most, if not all, of the songs here are inspiring pieces of immersive music, epic and vivacious in nature. Closer 'Deathmaster Danger Dance' could be another future classic post-rock anthem, as many songs here. Kokomo has evolved and is ready to headline.
Expect this album to resurface on several lists in December of this year. This year I decided to organize my personal list a bit better and this one is going into the 'best-of-2016-so-far' notepad file. For now, nothing is certain but there will have be a lot of good albums to kick this one off the charts...
Serge