PREVIEW
MONEEN
Tuesday, June 17
Liberty Lounge (MRC)
Are we really happy with who we are right now? It’s a common question, but for Brampton, Ontario’s Moneen, it’s become something of a mantra, and it’s also the title of the group’s second full-length album.
"We were really thinking, ‘Is this what we want?’ We didn't know what the hell to do at all," says Moneen frontman Kenny Bridges about the period of uncertainty that preceded the release of the album, during which time they replaced their bass player, streamlined their sound and inked a distribution deal with Vagrant Records.
In the end, Moneen decided to do what they’ve always done – trust their feelings. While writing songs for Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?, they weighed the balance between melody and rock, opting for their own enjoyment above all else.
"(We decided) let's just write some songs that are going to be fun to play live, since that is what we're going to be doing," Bridges says. "We went for what came naturally. Naturally, we like rockin', having fun and being able to throw stuff around, so let’s write some more rockin' songs. That way it will be more fun to break our faces open."
The acrobatic kinetics of Moneen's live show are the stuff of legend, but it is their musical craftsmanship that has made them so successful. With a more refined vocal sound and simpler approach this time out, Are We Really Happy… proves that the choice to have fun was the right one. Mixing digital and analogue techniques for what Bridges calls their first "real recording" experience, the result is intentionally organic, and the band’s self-effacing songs hold their own in the ever-fickle arena of emo rock, expertly bridging the distance between whispers and screams.
Teaming with producer Trever Keith (Face to Face) made the execution of the record as much fun as the writing.
"Working with him and knowing we didn't have to worry about everything was the greatest thing," says Bridges, adding that the scattered mindset that had plagued the band’s past recordings was thankfully gone. "The most important thing we had to worry about was playing. I give credit to the producers who work for the band and not just for themselves."
The resulting record, adorned with a flurry of butterflies on the cover, indicates that the metamorphosis has not gone unnoticed by the band. They are happy with who they are and their fans will undoubtedly agree. Yet, Bridges says that despite the changes, they are still decidedly Moneen.
"We knew that we were still going to be ourselves, and as long as we were allowed to do that, then everything was going to be fine." |
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