Staff Reviews

Mono - For My Parents

Review by Tom Perry

Post rock at its best, by bands like Mono, has something about it that can elevate the everyday into the sublime.»

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'for my parents' is the new album by mono, the japanese quartet who - over the course of half a dozen albums in twice as many years - has followed their own muse, and in the process have become "one of the most distinctive bands of the 21st century." they are an instrumental rock band whose melodies have grown increasingly lyrical, with increasingly transcendent execution. following the release of their previous album, the highly regarded hymn to the immortal wind, mono staged a series of sold-out concerts in new york city, tokyo, london, and melbourne, all backed by a massive chamber orchestra. preparing for these unique performances afforded them not only the opportunity to retrofit their back catalog, but also the inspiration to embrace their organic evolution as a preeminent neoclassical noise juggernaut. there is no doubting a mono song when you hear it, and no denying their uncanny ability to feel perfectly at home in both pristine symphony halls and dirty rock clubs. in the way that only mono can, 'for my parents' obliterates that divide, showcasing a sensitivity and maturity that simultaneously acknowledges where they came from, and where they're going. for my parents is the first mono album to not feature steve albini behind the console since 2003's 'walking cloud' and 'deep red sky.' the band chose to work with legendary new york producer henry hirsch, recording in a converted cathedral overlooking the hudson river, and mixing with longtime friend fred weaver in rural pennsylvania.
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