3 Daft Monkeys - Social Vertigo

  by Helen Tipping

published: 18 / 3 / 2008

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'Social Vertigo' is the fourth studio album by Cornish band 3 Daft Monkeys, but only the third with their current line up. They spent the end of last year touring to promote their brand of Eastern European influenced folk psychedelia, and are off again this year to promote the new album. Whilst there have been lazy comparisons with the Levellers, despite their folk background, 3 Daft Monkeys are more of a dance band with strong influences from around the world including Klezma and the music of the Balkans. This stems from the musical roots of the various band members, with bassist Jamie Waters being into dub reggae, vocalist and guitarist Tim Ashton being into punk and psychedelia, and violin player Athene Roberts being classically trained but liking Eastern European folk and Bhangra. Thrown into this mix are the influences they have picked up from buskers they have met and folk styles from around the world and you have a very eclectic mix which is reflected in the different sounds on this album. Anyone who has seen the band live will have heard most of the tracks on the album, so there are few surprises as the band incorporate new material into their act as its written. The tracks cover a variety of themes. These include CCTV and media conspiracy theories in 'Paranoid Big Brother'. 'Go Tell the Bees' (also the title track of a EP) is meanwhile about the destruction of the planet, and 'Social Vertigo' is just about the bizarre experience of touring and travelling. It’s also one of my favourites both on the album and live. I love the sound of Eastern European folk music, so this album is already one of my favourites. They are also a fantastic band to see live especially at festivals where they soon get the crowd up and dancing.

Track Listing:-

1 Paranoid Big Brother
2 Eyes Of Gaia
3 Human Nature (Prelude)
4 Human Nature
5 Go Tell The Bees
6 Guardian Angel
7 Since
8 One Fine Day
9 Social Vertigo
10 Little Secret
11 Let 'Em In
12 Monkey And The Slippers
13 Dance Of The Old Man Of Storr

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