WHOLE SKY MONITOR gave the indier-than-thou fraternity a soddin' good kicking with the release of the gargantuan second album 'Bland Bland Bland' recently. Not only did it have some steamrolling tunes on it, but it was every bit the sound of the previously easily-dismissed also-ran suddenly flexing his muscles and giving his oppressor (OK, previously dismissive journo types like meself) a bloody good taste of his own medicine into the bargain.
The bug-eyed dementia of their stomptastic previous release 'Harehills Chapeltown' was by some way WSM's best single, but its' curiously-titled successor 'Cinenema' is certainly no slouch either. Presented lovingly in the 'Axis of Evil Mix' form and proffering a storyline involving sex, sin and chimp rescue centres (you know, the ESSENTIAL stuff!) it finds the drums being turned up to alarming degree and WSM getting all militant, murky and downright magnificent on our ass once again.
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Nominal flipsides 'Sick Sick Sick' and 'N.O' are further reminders of what a polluted masterpiece 'Bland Bland Bland' is. As with 'Cinenema', both of these are impressive slices of curmudgeonly malevolence and are among the wonkiest and best provincial cries from the heart you'll hear all year.
So, what with 'Bland Bland Bland' , John Parkes' equally notable 'Illegal Songs' solo collection and a couple of corking single releases now under their belt, it looks like Whole Sky Monitor are going to have to get used to accepting the plaudits. The music they're making at present represents not only the sound of the worm turning, but ready to settle scores too.
(www.myspace.com/wholeskymonitor)
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