Don’t be fooled. The band Monsters of Folk, with their new self titled album, breaks the mold of traditional “folk” music. In fact, the boys combine folk, blues, easygoing rock, country and even pop to create a new unique sound. Each member brings experience and talent to the table, and the result is an experimental adventure that really pays off.
Overall the album is an instrumental collaboration on the part of its four members. Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis (of Bright Eyes), Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) and M. Ward (of She & He) created a sort of contrasting harmony together five years ago when they first toured together. After a stint of individual successes, the group came together to create their first album.
Despite money and acclaim (and all the shortcuts that come with), the group maintains an organic approach to their music. In garage band-esque fashion, the songs are generated collectively, exploring sound through trial and error. Mogis’ backyard served as the studio for their first session. Band members took turns playing different instruments, experimenting, building off one another. Oberst says on the band’s webpage “it reminded me a lot of when I was a teenager and I’d get together on the weekend with some of my friends and we’d have a four-track and a practice space full of whatever.”
No one voice or talent dominates among the group. The result is a calming compilation of songs that subtly question spirituality and stability. The band doesn’t offer answers (or even hints) to some higher order of meaning. They are instead just the voices of a generation, just average joes, throwing out thoughts into the world and seeing what happens.
While some songs simply paint images, they draw on themes that are universally relatable. Temazcal illustrates restless isolation, with a slow melancholy droll that delivers the line “I watch you braid your hair, you’re from another time - when the earth wasn’t so angry, and God was on our side.” Whole Lotta Losin’ keeps the same uneasy theme, but broadcasts its message with a surprising poppy upbeat spirit that isn’t entirely inappropriate.
Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) is a one-sided conversation with the creator of the universe, that sounds dangerously close to a seventies disco ballad: “I know I’m thinking aloud but if you’re loves still around, why do we suffer?” Controversial - yes. But catchy. And identifiable.
Monsters of Folk make a name for themselves in an industry that is at war with itself in search of originality. So much has already been said and done through music. So instead of trying to make something new, Monsters of Folk just make music the way they want to. It’s an adventure in collaboration.
And it works.
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