Description

Double album on black vinyls with gatefold cover

Won 2 Spellemannsprisen awards (Norwegian Grammy) in 2013; for best pop vocalist album and best newcomer with her album “Boy From The North”. Her second album “The One On The Sun” was released three years later and its an album not to be missed. Incorporating elements of progressive rock with blues and folk, this very talented guitarist/singer-songwriter has etched out a place of essential relevancy, and yet, has retained that key ingredient of uniqueness. And in this musical age of cliché and social-media snobbery – uniqueness is a rare find. Band support on this album is more prevalent than the first album. But don’t think that means Monica’s guitar takes a back seat – not at all. From the opening notes of Siren, it’s clear that the acoustic guitar clearly drives the overall structure of the tunes, and the other parts serve as tasteful embellishment. Coulda Been Sound is just a sweet tune – and a showcase from some great finger work. Jimmy Got Home should be well worthy of play on contemporary radio. The opening of The One in the Sun reveals some of the progressive rock flair Monica is known to indulge in. While on tour through Canada in 2015, she mentioned that she had been listening to King Crimson – and Oyvind was happy to pronounce the then upcoming new album would have some great prog moments on it. At about the 4 minute mark, the song returns to some very cool prog, and at around 4:30 breaks out in to a groove most reminiscent of YES in my mind…. For Saviours returns to a more contemporary folk-pop style. Warrior Child is a great tune, and should be on airplay – even after 10 listens, it’s hard to put my finger on what part of the song I like the most – the influences are many – but the whole song has a sonic gel about it… Broken is another nice tune with the acoustic guitar keeping the overall structure as other instruments add to the soundscape. The Riverbank picks up the pace a bit, but settles into a super lush half time chorus, drawing you in…. as if you weren’t already immersed enough. Lovers And Life And The Stars is another showcase for deep introspection, lots of minor/ambiguous voicings on the acoustic with ethereal sounds in the background, and a very cool keys outro. Ravensdale opens with some handy finger work, and as the voice gradually adds itself, the chord intervals go other-worldly. There’s a lot not touched upon in my short ramble, alternate tunings, the voice, the lyrics, the production…. suffice it to say, this album truly cements the ‘Monica’ sound. Do yourself a favour and get a copy. Real music needs to be heard.

Track list:
1. Siren
2. Coulda Been Sound
3. Jimmy Got Home
4. The One In The Sun (Tinka)
5. For Saviours
6. Warrior Child
7. Broken
8. The Riverbank
9. Lovers And Life And The Stars
10. Ravensdale
11. Actual Farewell