I'd never listened to Mono, a Japanese crescendo-core quartet, until I reviewed their new one, Hymn to the Immortal Wind (Temporary Residence [and, evidently, Conspiracy) for Blurt (it'll be posted soon), but now I can't get enough of the album and the band. In the same vein as Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky, but more emotionally affecting, Mono combine the four-piece rock band (2 guitars, bass, drums) with a full orchestra -- which can be a recipe for disaster, but producer Steve Albini helps them keep the sound intimate and raw at the same time it's sweeping and grand. It's beautiful, noisy, haunting, scary, heartbreaking stuff. My favorite track on Hymns is "Ashes in the Snow," which sounds not just a little like Ennio Morricone, but the whole album is great. So's their previous one, You Are There -- if you don't believe me, check out this review by All Music Guide's Thom Jurek, which is every bit as powerful as the music itself.
Here's the video for one of the quieter songs on Hymns, "Follow the Map." Gorgeous.
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