Search - Moneen :: Red Tree (Dig)

The band and album everyone should hear

A. Stoltz | illlinois | 04/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i've been a huge fan of moneen since theory of harmonial value. although it was rough and raw sounding, i still loved how complex and epic sounding their music was. then they released "are you really happy..." and i thought it was an huge improvement and was a solid record. then they dissapeared for three years and in february i heard they were finally releasing "the red tree".



i don't know how to explain how AMAZING THIS RECORD IS!! it's a huge improvement from anything they've ever done! this album has such a "big sound" with its heavier songs, spacy/intricate guitars, and stunning lyrics that have meaning, it makes me feel like i have butterflies in my stomach and just gives me goosebumps and makes my body tingle. i know that's weird but this album is that good. everything has improved on this album: his voice, the songwriting, hooks, musicianship, EVERYTHING! the songs are also alot shorter than their long drawn out songs their known for and the music is heavier, more epic sounding, yet they still have their trademark long clever title names, which i love.



their is not one lacking song on this cd and the four that stood out to me the most were "don't ever tell locke what he can't do", "the frightening reality that we will have to grow up someday and settle down", "this is all bigger than me", and the best moneen song ever "THE DAY NO ONE NEEDED TO KNOW." the song is the longest on the cd at 6 mins and is the most epic sounding moneen song ever. the song itself is worth purchasing the cd. the song is very uplifting, yet emotional and could easily be an anthem for life in general. the song has spacy/intricate guitars playing in the background while kenny bridges sings

"sing for life, sing for choices"

"sing for everyone without voices"



"sing for love, sing for laughter, sing for everyone here and after"

"sing for fear, sing for hatred, sing for everyone less than sacred"

"you can pray while they all keep sinking away"



whewww! you need to hear this song regardless if your a moneen fan or not. it's breathtaking.

i agree with the first review by A. martin on how amazing this cd is. maybe his review explains the album a little more in depth than mine so read his as well. if your a moneen fan, there is no way you won't be obsessed with this album. i'm not afraid to say this will be fighting with brand new's new album (if it ever gets out this year) for album of the year. if i could afford it, i would buy this album and pass it around to strangers just so people could see how amazing this album is. i've written 50 reviews for albums on here but i recommend this album the highest of any of them. yeah, it's that good!"

Fantastic Record! (EmotionalPunk.com)

A. Martin | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A band warranting underground success with their stunning live performances, Moneen are now defining themselves as more than a band whose live act is beyond exemplary. Their last album, "Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?" defined the band as outside of the status-quo, with often off-the-wall song dynamics and structure; but with "The Red Tree," the band's extraordinary live energy is transcribed and documented by an intense studio recording.



The 11 songs on "The Red Tree" were, in fact, so intensely transcribed, that pedals and amplifiers literally went up in smoke during the many months in which it was recorded. The instant the album kicks off, a shockwave of sonic guitar energy immediately aims to redefine the band's sound, and as the songs progress, more and more of these sonic guitar sounds are revealed.



And despite all the noise and chaos, another thing that really strikes the listener is the often brilliant harmonies the singer pulls off. The vocal melodies are, by themselves, catchy and vibrant, and often backed up by one or more voices, adding yet another layer to the complex sound on "The Red Tree." Vocally, the album is just as infectious as it is melodious, and the soaring vocal melodies on songs like "Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do" or the powerful, brooding chorus of "The Politics Of Living And The Shame In Dying" do nothing but encapsulate the listener with an experience previously unheard of.



Technically, the album is as complex and detailed and is some of the most spirited, noisy guitar work I have heard since The Receiving End Of Sirens' latest. "The Frightening Reality Of The Fact That We Will All Have To Grow Up And Settle Down One Day" unveils some of the most vigorous guitar work on the album-and the intense riffing is literally stunning. Shoegazed, shimmering guitar structures remind one of bands from the mid-90's My Bloody Valentine epidemic, even.



And even when the record isn't blasting off its sonic, animated guitar techniques (which isn't too often) the slower ballads (namely "There Are A Million Reasons For Why This May Not Work... And Just One Good One For Why It Will" or "The Song I Swore To Never Sing") bring out pianos and a sort of epic display of the band's capacity to write soft, lovely pop hooks.



Moneen might not be your favorite band yet-or a band you have even listened to. If you've seen them live, you know what I'm talking about when I say they have an extreme energy in their live performance. "The Red Tree" further continues the band's ability to write songs that are outside of the box, yet accessible to anyone who enjoys a pleasant pop-sensibility-all the while better documenting their live energy. And yet, the experimental, avant-garde, and utterly shocking guitar renditions and sounds on this album are alone enough to compel even the choosiest of music fans.



(This review originally appeared on EmotionalPunk.com)"

Best Cd in 2006 so far

Guilherme Brandão | São Paulo, Brazil | 08/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When this album came out I heard a lot of people saying that "The Red Tree" was the worst work of Moneen, because after the Alexisonfire split, they stole a lot of traces of Alexis' music...i can't say they don't.



But!



This album is awesome, i didn't like Moneen before i heard this album, i thought that their music was kind of crazy and boring, i didn't had what it needed to like their sound.



When i heard "The Red Tree" this all changed, the whole idea that i had made of them changed. They can take Alexisonfire's musical weight and mix it with a lot of catchy refrains and lines. And Moneen's lyrics are the most beautiful things i've ever read in the subject of music, songs like "The Day No One Needed To Know" and "There Are A Million Reasons For Why This May Not Work... And Just One Good One For Why It Will" could suck musically, but just with those lyrics they would be great.



Moneen rocks!



I suggest you buy this CD, you won't regret it. I don't own it yet because i live in Brazil and one cd comes out very expensive, but i'm gathering some money to buy me one!



In my opinion: "the best cd in 2006 so far""