Conceptual Kansas City art-rock combo Monta At Odds continue their experimentation in sound with an expanded line-up and a new EP, Zen Diagram. Led by Dedric Moore and fueled from 2020’s angst and uncertainty, the band adopts a darker, grittier direction that coincides with a post-punk indulgence. The result is an evocative four-song tableau, showcasing the veteran project’s drive to explore sonic territory as they lay down some mesmerizing jams.
The title track opens the EP as a voyage into soundtrack dreams and sonic imagery. It’s a fully-packed production, featuring twin vocals from Mikal Shapiro and Teri Quinn, Krystof Nemeth of Emmaline Twist on epic baritone guitar, Lucas Behrens on Moog, and Delaney Moore on slide guitar. The song builds and builds over 10 minutes, introducing a bevy of interplaying elements and melodies. There’s a complexity that grooves.
Monta At Odds embraces the grayer shades of these sessions with a faithful but otherworldly cover of “Movement of Fear,” the classic cut from Tones On Tail. Mikal leans into the vocals with gentle whispers as Lucas plucks the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Matthew Heinrich merges live drums with the programmed ones until he is one with the machines. The result is multi-textured and dubbed-out, exposing the bloodline of Monta’s aesthetic.
“Two Lanes Two Paths” is frenetically powered by the jazzy drum drive of Alexander Thomas. Dedric’s relentless bassline, Delaney’s freeform synthesizer soloing, and Krystof’s expressive guitar tones conspire to form a congealed essence. It’s a spaced-out instrumental that could be from another time, floating defiantly into the present.
Zen Diagram ends with “I Count The Steps To A New Sunrise.” The previous cut’s path takes us to a crest on a hill with a view of the damage below. The combo is locked-in, as skittering drums, cosmic synths, spacious noise guitars, and a pensive bass riff promise a way out. Dedric’s vocals are pure 2020, overcome with the zeitgeist of isolation and yearning to reach for something, anything. The diagram becomes a map, and this is how we find an escape.
credits
released May 1, 2020
original painting by Craig Mildrexler. Photo treatments by Dedric Moore.
Personnel:
Dedric Moore: Voice, synth, guitar, bass, programming
Delaney Moore: slide guitar on Zen. synths on Two Lanes, I Count...
Mikal Shapiro: vocals
Teri Quinn: background vocals
Matthew Heinrich: drums on Zen, Movement
Lucas Behrens: Moog on Zen, guitar on Movement
Alexander Thomas: drums on Two Lanes, I Count
special guest Krystof Nemeth on baritone guitar on all tracks.
Formed by Dedric and Delaney Moore, the brothers took their dream of downtempo and stirred in a mixture of space rock, dub, disco, electronica and psychedelica to create the sound of Monta At Odds.
Tranquil. Spacey. Understated. Fuzzed-out. Like that ancient TV with the plastic knob, caught between channels in the middle of the night, one show fading in as the other fades out. Also, essential. MDonaldson (8sided.blog)
I'm always deeply impressed by the playing of Hermon Mehari! For me, he's one of the top trumpet players of the younger generation! I'm sure we will hear a lot of great music from him in the future. Stay tuned! Florian Arbenz
Polywave are practitioners of a classic style of synth music, with songs that recall the best ’80s action film soundtracks. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 5, 2019
Pretty, Lush-inspired dream pop has a gentle touch, with whispered spoken-sung French vocals drifting lightly over shimmering guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 24, 2019
another amazing album by these guys. I don't understand how it was able to get cleaned up so well for this reissue,but I totally love and appreciate it. It's the PERFECT reissue/remaster!!! Cat Man