Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?

Moneen

Moneen is a pretty unique band that unfortunately never hit the big time. Even though post-hardcore and emo-punk was exploding in the early 2000s, the band from Brampton, Ontario remained relatively unknown outside of the Canada. It's a shame really because they offered something different; incredibly dynamic songs with linear (non verse/chorus/verse) structures, a hyper-tuned ear for melody, intricate and creative drumming, and varied vocal performances given that three out of the four members sing, shout, and scream all over. Even without the more pop tricks and sensibilities, the band crafts very engaging tunes, and that is evidenced on their second record Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?

The album wastes no time launching you right into the fray with quickly strummed guitar chords and Kenny Bridges' nasally and raspy voice. There is so much intensity when the drums and additional guitars come in that it feels overwhelming in almost the same why I feel listening to a thrash metal tune. The song later transitions into a bit of a reflective cool down moment, but later ramps up again for a driving instrumental finish. It's also at the end of this track where you will learn about the band's affinity for creating these really cool guitar noises using various time effects. These droning, space-y guitars allow the band to seamlessly transition into the next track, Start Angry...End Mad, the first song I ever heard from the band and one of the finest emo and post-hardcore examples I can find. It begins with a forty-five second intro that packs in a lovely piano motif, tightly chugging guitars and drums, a soaring guitar lead, and more of those droning guitar effects. The vocals come in another twenty seconds later and by this time, we have already rode through multiple peaks and valleys. If the music doesn't come on strong enough for you, perhaps the antagonistic lyrics will. "Screw you and die, I hope you burn!" Bridges hollers at his introduction. It is so full of childish angst, but sometimes you just gotta say exactly how you feel. This song also has a really impressive instrumental bridge section that leads into an electrifying end where everyone is screaming and airing their grievances. It's just an incredibly cathartic and exciting track.

In fact, revisiting this record again has made me truly appreciate how evolved their composition game is. With This Song I Will Destroy Myself has a supremely beautiful middle section that is very midwest-emo with it's dual twinkling clean guitars and whisper quiet vocal performances. The band goes even further with the intro to the lengthy album finisher, The Last Song I Will Ever Want to Sing, who's opening moments seriously rival anything from the catalogue of post-rock greats like Sigur Rós, Goodspeed You! Black Emperor, or Explosions In the Sky. There's melancholy, but with a touch of hope. You feel like you're floating and grounded at the same time. It's just so brilliantly composed and elicits a very emotional response in me. There's lots of little fleeting moments like this on the record, but these two are probably the strongest examples.

I will admit, the second half of the record does go through a bit of a rough patch starting with Closing My Eyes Won't Help Me Leave. It is definitely the most aggressive and angsty tune on the record which I'm not at all opposed to. However, I feel there are a lot of messy layers making it overwhelming in not a nice way. This especially goes for the ending where we have vocals and guitars piled on top of more vocals and guitars creating an unflattering cacophony. The cool down in the form of a piano ballad titled I Have Never Done Anything For Anyone That Was Not For Me As Well is greatly needed after that mess, but I'm honestly not all that crazy about the tune or that it goes on for four minutes without much development. The two tracks that follow this do fall back in line with the material at the beginning of the record, but I also feel like there aren't really any new ideas here that the band is exploring. Despite the shaky middle though, Moneen is still very impressive on this record. The compositions are truly something to behold, I love the sound play with all the delay effects, and some of these songs are like wild roller coaster rides.