Before The Fall

By Mondo

Once in a while a CD comes along which is very special indeed. Today is one of those days. Produced by the band themselves and released on their own label this is Mondo's second album, "Before the Fall". This is an amazing harmonious adventure.

The journey begins with "Slow Star", which is a hypnotic track with a repetitious riff which slowly draws you under its spell until you are only aware of the pulsating electronics drifting between your ears, everything else just passes you by.

Then with a jolt you are woken up with "Against the numbers" with its robotic, machine like riffage which would get anyone moving. Songs drift in and out of each other, at times loud and at times so quiet and beautiful, there's so much going on around the music. It has been so well crafted almost like the band have spent an age making sure that every tiny effect is perfectly in place.

Sounds just wash over you in each song coupled with heart felt vocals and lyrics that have been pulled out, from deep in side the singer's soul.

The album leaves the listener in a dream like state in a similar style to Mogwai or Sigur Ros. There is so much depth here that on every listen the music has something new to offer. You hear things that you didn't realise were there before.

"This is all Wrong" has dark harmonies that melt in with the surrounding effects to produce a cold musical landscape. Other tracks are rich, full and up tempo with screaming vocals and guitars that trip out as if they were from one of Josh Homme's early Desert Sessions.

All in all this is an atmospheric masterpiece, so unique and wonderful in every way. One of the records of the year so far. This is an adventure that everyone should go on.

• www.moofrecords.co.uk

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