FDF Volume 3 Issue 333 - Thelonious Monster - Beautiful Mess

Album – Beautiful Mess

Artist – Thelonious Monster

Key Players – Chris Handsome – guitar. Dix Denny – guitar. Peter Weiss – drums. Bob Forrest – vocals. Martin LeNoble – bass. Zander Scholls - guitar

Produced By – Joe Hardy

Release Date – October 12, 1992

Overview – This is the fourth album from California based band “Thelonious Monster”. The LA based band has been active for years and are widely respected among musical acts. The band often has a rotating set of musicians on records and in live settings. They took a short break, but continue to write and perform at their own pace.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – The 11 track album opens up with the fun "I Live In A Nice House"
 a jangly guitar led romp. It was the song that got me to buy the record its just a happy fun song. Weiss won't let it get to quick and holds a steady beat as the guitars just wash over. “Blood Is Thicker Than Water” is a quieter acoustic led track with just Forrest and a lone guitar and after a bit the full band kicks in and they take off. They have found their groove and the bass work comes up with a fun walking line. The band joins in on backing vocals for a really nice full sound. “Body and Soul?” has a nice long wah wah guitar solo.“Adios Lounge” has the grovel voiced accompaniment of Tom Waits. Its a slower track, with a lot of piano (as expected). We continue with some of the mellow side of the band on “I Get So Scared” as the drums are calm and the guitars play off one another. Forrest is in no rush and the band follow suit. “Song For A Politically Correct Girl From The Valley” brings back some the more electric, almost funk driven style from the band. Forrest sings about as quickly as we've heard and the guitars are crunchy and a lot of fun. The topic alone is good fodder and the lyrics are equally as funny. There is a great guitar solo and the band falls in to that “jam” mode which is fun to listen to. I wish there were more moments like this. “Ain't Never Been Nuthin' For Me In This World” is another really fun track. Musically you can hear the guys smiling as they are playing. It just locks a tight groove they are all playing well off one another. We hear a bit more organ, and drums kick off “Bus With No Driver”. The guitars are clean and compliment the bass and drums. There appears to be a higher female voice on backing vocals, but the liner notes doesn't seem to mention who it is, but you were noticed! The organ is also used on the back end of the track, a nice change. The track “Vegas Weekend” has a buzzy and gritty guitar sound but it lacks a solid direction, it just seems to find its riff and it repeats. “Weakness In Me” tilts towards the ballad area (at least for this band). The album concludes with “The Beginning And The End #12 N 35” which is just a track of under 1 minute of nonsense. Not at all needed.

Where are they now? - The band was active from about 1983 to 1994 and then they took a break until about 2004. They play shows here and there. Bob Forrest is a recovering addict and is widely respected as a survivor and council person. His story was made in to a documentary

FDF Overall Take/Was it worth Dusting Off? - There are some fun moments and talented players for sure. On a whole there might be a too much variation for most on the tracks. A ballad to a rocker, to a funk feel. Could be a challenge to some, worthy to others. If you stumble across it, grab it you may be inspired.

Links, find out more, follow em and buy!

Bob Forrest on line

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 3 Issue 332 - The Music - Welcome to the North

Album – Welcome to the North

Artist – The Music

Key Players – Robert Harvey – vocals, guitar. Adam Nutter – lead guitar. Stuart Coleman – bass. Phil Jordan – drums.

Produced By – Brendan O'Brien

Release Date – September 20, 2004

Overview - This is the second full length release from British alternative rock band “The Music”. Formed in 1999 the members all met in high school. The band recorded a demo in 2001 and an ep in 2002. Their debut, released the same year went to #4 on the British charts. Come the time of “Welcome to the North” the band was a full fledged touring act but there were delays in recording the third album. It was revealed that some drug and alcohol issues had resurfaced with the band members. The band worked to release a third album but Harvey left a year later. The band broke up in the summer of 2011.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – The 11 track 55 minute album begins with the title track “Welcome to the North”. It starts with some dual guitars before the full band comes in. Harvey has a powerful and high vocal range. Nutter and Harvey are solid with the guitar attack while Coleman and Jordan keep things pretty level."Freedom Fighters"  was released as a single in the UK where it cracked the top 10. Jordan gives the roll off the snare and high hat before the two guitars come buzzing in on a looping riff. Coleman remains solid as everyone comes together and they push to a frantic chorus.  “Bleed From Within” as a quicker pace, but more of a stark contrast in down time. Jordan again pushes the band forward and seems to have a bit more a preference towards his tom toms and there is a phased out drum/percussion jam at the end of the track. The big money song for these ears comes with"Breakin'"  An infectious track. I'll just let you listen. “Cessation” has a frantic punk rock feel with the band really hammering down. “Fight the Feeling” is the slowest track on the album to this point with it being really just a light bass/drum and lightly strummed guitar as Harvey is showcased. “Guide” has a cool fuzzy bass intro and the band is more to the pop/rock feel. It has a 60's vibe to it as well. The band seems to use some layers on the vocals on this to expand the sound more.  “In to the Night” has a similar fun feel to it, while “I Need Love” has much more a frantic tempo set forth by Jordan and the band seems eager to play right along. “One Way In, No Way Out” gets a bit sludgier, but as the track progresses the Harvey soars vocally and we get some piano fills to give it a deeper and fuller sound. The album ends (at least track wise) with “Open Your Mind”, a track that has the band with acoustic guitars and some effect on the vocals. Coleman and Jordan are strong and Nutter seems to go after it pretty good when the electric guitar is brought up. Hit the FF button to approx 6:05 and you'll come upon “The Walls Get Smaller”, an instrumental track that is a nice find, especially for fans of rock instrumentals (post rock etc)

Where are they now? Harvey did some work with “The Streets” and he has since worked with Mike Skinner of “The Streets” to form “The D.O.T” who released and album in October 2012.

FDF Overall Take/Was is worth Dusting Off? - There are some really solid moments on there. The guitar playing is good, but its the vocals that grab you mostly. I'd buy it all over again just for “Breakin'” personally.

Links/ Find out More, Follow em and Buy

Official Site

Facebook page

Buy It!

Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.