Moneen - The Red Tree (Vagrant)
4/5
By: Dave Adair
The sauntering, tension packed post-rock that rushes through the emo genus in opener 'Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do' at once enunciates the fact that this band's collective power and thrust takes them straight past many of the derivative, comparative losers clogging up the rest of this end of the music market. The Get Up Kids sharing a sabbatical with Funeral For A Friend gives an indication of their soaring nature, one that is at its most prevalent in the first half of this, their third full-length offering.
'The Red Tree' is the follow up to the itself blistering 'Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?', and demonstrates that the incessant touring done for that previous album has amply aided their tightness and co-understanding, such collected focus and shared fiery nature captured beautifully in highlight 'Bleed And Blister', as grinding guitars provide the perfect accompaniment for Kenny Bridges' potent, punchy vocal attack.
Calming, harmonious interludes add spice to the gritty, attention snatching bite with the likes of 'The Day No One Needed To Know' and the big business barracking 'This Is All Bigger Than Me'. Yet the tempo does slip in to cruise control towards the finale, as bracing moments are provided with an aching heart on the monstrously titled 'There Are A Million Reasons For Why This May Not Work .... And Just One Reason For Why It Will', as well as in the closing 'The Song I Swore To Never Sing'.
For many emo adorers alike, 'The Red Tree' will act as their genre of choice's equivalent to a particularly thrilling movie; one featuring all the usual suspects of anger, resentment, heartache, but with enough twists, turns and intrigue to excite.
Artists in this article: Moneen
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment