Dreaded Monkey
Can I just say I love the photo which Nottingham based Dreaded Monkey have used as their profile picture (the same one as next to this!), I don’t know why, I just do! I was put onto Dreaded Monkey by Big D of Noize Level Critical Radio, had a listen and thought I’d better share my thoughts!
Opening with Influence Me the tone is immediately set as reasonably dark and ominous, using clean vocals and picked guitars under a synth to create the sound, building up in to the track. As the drums and rhythm guitars build in the track takes form, taking twists and turns which are unexpected but work on a higher level than I first expected. Normally you see a band describing themselves as Alt Rock and it’s pretty much set in stone what they’re going to sound like – these guys seem to have taken the mould, smashed it against the wall and changed everything around just to confuse things – but it works! This song is massive, full of different sections and clearly something the band should be proud of.
Moving on to Brainshower the tone changes, a more crunchy guitar line takes the background and the vocals push it onwards. Retaining that picked guitar, this time more as a lead line this track is faster than the last but once again creates its own standards to conform to, continuing to surprise as it progresses. The band openly state on their page that they do it their way, asking why can’t they play that – well I think the answer is they’ve proven they can! Contrasting sections of the song create this unique sound, one which reminds me of something but I can’t place it – either way it’s a winner.
Third track Losing It opens in a more catchy and funky way than the previous two, opting to keep the bass high in the mix so as to keep the sound big and deep, again it’s something to behold. This track has elements of 70’s rock in the sound, almost like The Dirty Americans at times in the way it’s presented to the audience but at the same time sounding unique to the band. As the track fades into final track This Is Not A Song, the tone once again changes and strings lead an acoustic guitar line into the beginning of the track. The vocals kick in over everything and create an almost haunting sound – it’s the sort of song which you expect to come from a far more established band sounding almost reminiscent at times. Ending on this track leaves a haunting feeling with the listener, one which is going to make me revisit this band over and over again.
In all, I don’t know where to put Dreaded Monkey, they’ve created a sound I can’t pigeon hole or rate against anything. Their unique blend of rock and acoustic guitars, soft yet meaningful vocals and that bass line all comes together to create something special, something which will stay with you once you’ve hit the stop button. I’d love to see these guys live to see whether this can be replicated live as I think it would be quite a special feeling to behold.
To find out more about Dreaded Monkey, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Influence Me the tone is immediately set as reasonably dark and ominous, using clean vocals and picked guitars under a synth to create the sound, building up in to the track. As the drums and rhythm guitars build in the track takes form, taking twists and turns which are unexpected but work on a higher level than I first expected. Normally you see a band describing themselves as Alt Rock and it’s pretty much set in stone what they’re going to sound like – these guys seem to have taken the mould, smashed it against the wall and changed everything around just to confuse things – but it works! This song is massive, full of different sections and clearly something the band should be proud of.
Moving on to Brainshower the tone changes, a more crunchy guitar line takes the background and the vocals push it onwards. Retaining that picked guitar, this time more as a lead line this track is faster than the last but once again creates its own standards to conform to, continuing to surprise as it progresses. The band openly state on their page that they do it their way, asking why can’t they play that – well I think the answer is they’ve proven they can! Contrasting sections of the song create this unique sound, one which reminds me of something but I can’t place it – either way it’s a winner.
Third track Losing It opens in a more catchy and funky way than the previous two, opting to keep the bass high in the mix so as to keep the sound big and deep, again it’s something to behold. This track has elements of 70’s rock in the sound, almost like The Dirty Americans at times in the way it’s presented to the audience but at the same time sounding unique to the band. As the track fades into final track This Is Not A Song, the tone once again changes and strings lead an acoustic guitar line into the beginning of the track. The vocals kick in over everything and create an almost haunting sound – it’s the sort of song which you expect to come from a far more established band sounding almost reminiscent at times. Ending on this track leaves a haunting feeling with the listener, one which is going to make me revisit this band over and over again.
In all, I don’t know where to put Dreaded Monkey, they’ve created a sound I can’t pigeon hole or rate against anything. Their unique blend of rock and acoustic guitars, soft yet meaningful vocals and that bass line all comes together to create something special, something which will stay with you once you’ve hit the stop button. I’d love to see these guys live to see whether this can be replicated live as I think it would be quite a special feeling to behold.
To find out more about Dreaded Monkey, check out their Facebook page HERE.