Monsters Of Folk Make Strong Debut
This Is The Supergroup Folk Fans Have Been Waiting For
Oct 14, 2009
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Traveling Wilburys, Audioslave, Velvet Revolver and now, the duly named, Monsters of Folk.
Supergroups. Sigh.
Even the name ‘supergroup’ evokes a sense of musical superiority over normal bands. It sounds bloated and even arrogant.
Supergroups Not Always So Super
Yes, it is always cool to see successful, iconic artists jam with their equally successful friends. Case in point: famous troubadour Bob Dylan and former Beatle George Harrison in the Traveling Wilburys.
But as history dictates, great albums were created and then cast off as suddenly as they began; leaving speculation as to what was the point?
For some groups, the easy cash in on their well-known names is a most-likely motivator (Velvet Revolver anyone?) Some may do it for reestablishing their waning careers (Velvet Revolver?)
Whatever the reason may be, supergroups have always peaked people’s interest for the last 30 years and will continue to do so.
Continuing in that tradition is Monsters of Folk, an American superband comprised of indie-rock stars Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes fame, Jim James from My Morning Jacket and M. Ward from She & Him.
Monsters of Folk Sound Like A Group Of Very Talented Friends Jamming
It would be erroneous to label these musicians as the new CSNY of the iPod generation, but it’s not too far from the mark.
Listening to their self-titled album, it feels like walking into a low-lit living room where your closest friends are just playing honest, unrefined music on the old couch in the corner. And you can’t help but feel drawn to their energetic spirit and bursting creativity.
The lyrics, like the music, are like rambunctious children running around on a playground – all over the place. The music doesn’t sound like a rehash from their original band’s work but rather a reinvention.
They are journeying into undiscovered territory, watching rock and nu-folk elements mix, creating tantalizing results.
Conor Oberst Shines On Disc
The fourth song, 'Temazcal', is one such example.
Bright Eyes’ Oberst conjures up vivid images backed by a downbeat guitar strum and beautiful harmonies.
"Puttin’ all my power righteous as a rose dynamite the mountain,
now I’m walkin’ up the road all love we made at gun point wasn’t love at all the dancing in the valley,
the moon’s the mirror of all blew open my mind now it’s an empty room swinging in the hammock,
dogs are walkin cross the roof I watch you braid your hair,
you’re from another time when the earth wasn’t so angry,
and God was on our side"
All things considered, Monsters of Folk are more than just your average supergroup. They bring something unexpected to the table of dishes you’ve tasted before. And it is a welcome change.
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