Monograph - Lorelei

  by Chris Jones

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Label: Shinkansen
Format: CD

intro

Riding the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo, thinking of what 'GBV' might have sounded like had Robert Pollard actually grown up in England, was a fun lesson in geography and circumstance. 'Monograph

Riding the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo, thinking of what 'GBV' might have sounded like had Robert Pollard actually grown up in England, was a fun lesson in geography and circumstance. 'Monograph's debut full length is packed with toe tapping, head bobbing, jangly guitar pop/rock that is both familiar and fresh sounding. The vocals, and even the lyrics, possess an uncanny similiarity to Robert Pollard's at times and the music is ripe with hooks provided by both electric and acoustic guitar. Most of the songs are up beat numbers with a fair share of electric guitar,but however on tracks like "An Afterthought", "Long tretch" and "Finding New Rest for the Ghost" Monograph slow things down a bit and delivers some beautiful, mopey pop with a touch of acoustic twang to it. The snappy single "Don't Gimme Shelter" has already garnered airplay from both John Peel and Steve Lamacq and while 'Shinkansen' conductor Matt Haynes may promote the ethic of throwaway pop, this album is a definite keeper.

Track Listing:-