Monocult - Maybe We Should

by Adrian Huggins

published: 12 / 12 / 2008

Label: Pink Liquid
Format: CD

Compelling trip hop on debut album from nine piece Newcastle-upon-Tyne band, the Monocult, who sound like an acoutsic version of Massive Attack or Portishead

Review

When I listened to ‘Cold Comfort’, the first tune on this album, for the first time, I thought, “Oh God, this is going to be 10 acoustic songs about how this girl has been screwed over by men over and over.” Patience, however, won out over ignorance and the skip button and I quickly found myself in the realms of a more experimental and trip hop world with this first track, which was brilliant. A gradual building of soundscapes brings out a whole range of levels on this and other tracks that all seem to span from Lucy Pickard's bleak vocals as the emphasis shifts from one part of the music to another, starting with vocals then onto hypnotic beats and acoustic guitar through to the bass line then onto the main guitar parts. It all somehow unravels in your head. There are some really compelling songs here , particularly ‘Higher Ground Pt. 2’ which has a really dramatic and suspenseful feel to it. The music is incredibly patient and does not rush to get from one part to another. The fact that Monocult, who are a nine piece, use all live instruments rather than a series of programmed parts is what makes them such a intriguing listen. They sound almost like an unplugged acoustic version of Massive Attack or Portishead which gives the music a really personal feel. This draws you into the vocals rather than the vocals sounding like they’ve been sampled as an after thought, thoroughly kicking the arse of my misguided first impressions. This is brilliantly atmospheric in a completely stripped down way. It is definitely worth checking Monocult out.