They are rock songwriters whose lyrics are guitar lines sung, shrieked, and wailed to the accompaniment of a masterful rhythm section. Mono are a rock band -- and a damn fine one -- and they only get better with time.
While the group are certainly impressive in performance, they can't break free from an almost mechanical feel that lingers and really holds the album back.
Throughout their six-year career, MONO has ascended consistently in both popularity and critical acclaim, with record sales and live show Throughout their six-year career, MONO has ascended consistently in both popularity and critical acclaim, with record sales and live show attendance corresponding. But still elusive to the Japanese quartet has been the successful translation of their powerful and violently beautiful live performances to their recordings. Despite their albums' masterful subtleties and majestic walls of noise, the consensus has remained that their transcendent live show is simply incomparable. If there is any chance of breaking that spell, it lies in You Are There, without a doubt the prime contender to unite the live and recorded worlds of MONO. Once again captured to tape by Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio studios in Chicago, IL, the album extends the cinematic drama of 2003's Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (also recorded by Albini), while surpassing the sinister heaviness of 2002's lauded One Step More and You Die. If Walking Cloud was a nuclear winter, then You Are There is the post-war rebirth; steeped in an ominous creation-via-destruction atmosphere not heard since Neurosis' landmark Enemy of the Sun defined the sound more than a decade ago. You Are There disproves the myth that an increased focus on intricate song structures and string arrangements comes at the expense of youthful energy and inspired aggression. With You Are There, MONO's representation of tragedy comes with an inherent joy, delivered with the hope that in all dark there is equal parts light. They're not heavy like Black Sabbath - they're heavy like Beethoven. Jeremy deVine /Temporary Residence Limited…Expand
It requires an active mind to appreciate, but the album will eventually take you in and take you to a terrifying and wonderful place. This isIt requires an active mind to appreciate, but the album will eventually take you in and take you to a terrifying and wonderful place. This is music as an experience, and in my opinion the best album of this band. Grab a neat scotch, dim the lights, lay down, and turn it up.…Expand
Moins extraordinaire que le suivant, un album charnière dans la discographie du groupe japonais: les morceaux fiévreux succèdent des titresMoins extraordinaire que le suivant, un album charnière dans la discographie du groupe japonais: les morceaux fiévreux succèdent des titres plus planants même si l'orage gronde toujours.…Expand
Not exactly fresh, they seem to be using the same exact formula throughout the album. While the production's nice and it all sounds Not exactly fresh, they seem to be using the same exact formula throughout the album. While the production's nice and it all sounds pretty on first listen, it doesn't stand up on later spins and ultimately lacks substance. They've done better.…Expand
