Altsounds - The Monocult - Maybe We Should... [EP]

The Monocult are an odd bunch. Hailing, as a ‘band’, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne The Monocult are not a pre-organised unit but a complex lattice built from many different members, performers and folk fanatics who have been drawn together by pianist/keyboardist Matt Henderson in order to produce a record described as, in their own words, “experimental, acoustic, trip hop, dark ambience played by humans”. Not by prolific piano monkeys, we must note. Although The Monocult (whoever they are!) have ambitions of taking their music live in the near future, for the time being they’ve independently released debut EP “Maybe We Should...” just to get the ball rolling and to showcase their musicianship and their sound. And I can’t fault the personnel as musicians, they’re tight and I’m sure they’re intuitive – but something about “Maybe We Should...” doesn’t stick with me.

For one thing, the vocals are far too striking and quite frankly made me jump. It’s all too easy to get distracted from the intricately placed undertones and to twitch with indignance at Lucy Pickard’s occasional nasal grates. As much as I understand that this record is supposed to embody THE chillout of chillout, it is seriously difficult to distinguish any track from another due to a lack of the surprise factor. Henderson himself has stated that “there were some difficult times creatively, where tracks sounded like they just didn’t belong together, but gradually the style gelled and made sense artistically”. Purely as a listener, mate, I would have stuck with some sort of unusual fusion and given me just a little bit more to hold onto.

“Higher Ground pt 2” is a bit livelier, with some exciting and well executed drum work. It has to be said that drummer Dave Whittaker carries a lot of the tracks, including slow-starter “A Sign”, and although it’s refreshing for the drumming to be made a positive focal point within the music, (cue references to DRUMMERS AINT MUSICIANS quips), it’s a shame that without the layers created by such change in meter the songs would probably be very dull and lack musical push.
“Right So Wrong” has some funky basswork and “You Fade” would make good video game music, initially just a swish of cymbal and the odd shake of maracas which soars into yet more complicated drumming and epic string arrangements. But as I’ve mentioned before, there’s nothing here that will stick in my mind.

“Maybe We Should...” is the perfect collection for Sunday mornings, quiet and reflective life-affirming moments, the half an hour or so you spend winding down after work with a cup of coffee, dwelling upon the Recession – Henderson’s songs set that mood but sadly bring nothing noteworthy to the foreground.