Thursday, July 29, 2010

Villanelles, by Monkey Puzzle Tree.


What genre is Monkey Puzzle Tree? Classical, world, rock, post-rock, post-classical, post-romantic? Well the truth is, none of those labels really fit. They are truly unique; with their music offering only hints of familiarity, the energetic and elegant sounds take you on a sensory journey akin to spending an afternoon in an enchanted garden. In this garden you encounter sunlight and shade, roses and thorns, chills and warmth. You also happen upon moments that remind you of a distant sentiment and stir sensory memories deep within.

The album’s opening track, Rapture, gives you the feeling of sitting at lake's edge with a gentle breeze on your skin. The violin flows in slowly and poignantly, stirring the air, almost leaving you with goose bumps. Then enter the quick, light taps of the wire brush sticks and then the flow of violin. The song, How to Cast a Spell, evolves into a majestic, playful tune with a two thoughtful reposes, and ends on an evocative note.

One of the band’s first songs written and performed, is the fluid beauty, Reverie. It is a slow, winding, gentle track that makes you feel nostalgic and yet content. After such a calm end, you would be forgiven for being jolted alert by the next track, Dorian Tango. It brims with fun and energy from start to finish.

There are parts of the album where you can really sense the classical influences of the musicians. However, they always challenge this through as each piece progresses. Dr Mesmer starts off sounding classical; however, as it progresses, the drums and guitar add a quirky edge with a dark, brooding, underlying sound that swells as fast as it dissipates. It flows like a long and beautifully written novel with many conflicts and resolutions, ebbs and flows.

Opium Wars is unpredictable as it is thrilling. In parts, the piano cuts through the air like a sharp dagger, over and over. You feel enraptured in a vibrant, exciting moment. Then, Paper Moon shyly follows and slowly winds on.

Many of the songs are beautifully balanced, but not predictable. In Escapist the end of the song is mirrored by the start. It is concise and harmonious. You can sense the musicians have used perfect restraint. The image of rain trickling down the window on a cold, gray day resonates in this piece.

The album is full of contrasts. There are moments of light and shade, there are fast tempos and gracefully slow ones. The cohesiveness of the musicians’ performances is apparent throughout this incredibly consistent and charming album.

Alas, the afternoon in the garden has come to an end, but it was a thought-provoking experience that deserves to be shared and revisited.