Spooky Monkey's Scaremongering Project

[tamarisk]

by di-ve.com

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Saturday, 28 August, 2004

Every now and then a mysterious act whose previous output promised originality and fun pops out of obscurity and apparent hibernation to steal the limelight once again -- such an act would be Spooky Monkey. If their earlier work bent your mind, then their latest effort should blow it.

Having broadened their musical scope considerably, Spooky Monkey have come up with the endearingly titled 'Scaremongering Project' - a collection of brooding electronic and acoustic pieces with a more up-tempo trajectory designed for the dance floor, though not in any traditional sense. This is sublime, inspirational music; a soundtrack to a somewhat schizophrenic narrative written by Anton Bonnici of scaremongering.net, who based his writing on art supplied by his fellow scaremongering members whilst instilling his now signature writing touch.

It starts off uncompromisingly, with a hellish ambience which gives way to some goofy englishman's voice mouthing off cynical phrases. Then rather intrusively, the acutely contagious 'jolly good day' comes barging in, with its catchy hooks and head bobbing bass lines. As well as injecting as much warmth into electronic music as is humanly possible, 'Distant' features Mary-Claire's seductive voice atop a multilayered soundtrack to some unknown, sunny exotic beach.

'Jolly Good Dub', the album's centrepiece is Spooky Monkey's dubwise experiment, one hell of an infectious track, providing mood, texture and fun, a three hit combo just where it belongs.

By the time 'Once Upon a Theme' floats by, it is increasingly apparent that these guys know no boundaries, with its forlorn appeal and highly evocative piano mullings wistfully encapsulating the listener within a meditative miasma. It is then followed by one of the more eclectic tracks on the soundtrack, 'Tri Capita', which comes complete with lush, simple synth lines reminiscent of the Aphex Twin during one of his ambient forays. This provides a soothing backdrop, which is accompanied by discordant riffs intermingled with various other proceedings such as fleeting flute extracts and disorienting electronic beats. These sonic diversions lend a hand to stopping the music from becoming tedious, and the music here bobs and weaves effortlessly with a deep understanding of pace and atmosphere destined to change your mood regardless of setting or time of day, a beautiful and melancholic soundscape with equal measure. There's also intimacy here, on the likes of 'Final Shot' making the listeners feel as if they're eavesdropping on the englishman's reflective monologue. Gooseflesh features a wistful, tinkling piano accompanied by dispersing, mind bending ambient riffs.

Scaremongering Project's penultimate track - 'Static Screen' is a track to die for. With its febrile, throbbing electro pop it sets the tone for the final musing.

AEIOU is an epic psychedelic number reminiscent of pink floyd's 'echoes' and Krautrock's best offerings, complete with flute musings and a bare to the bones, almost inaudible bassline, the highlight however is the guitar strumming, which at times seems to stem from an instrument being played half a mile away, yet maintains central stage with spontaneous and improvised harmonics.

'Spooky Monkey' now inhabit a sequenced world of boundless possibilities, which has liberated them instead of leading them to the same conclusions as everyone else with a guitar next to a computer. Zicotron and Cornelius display a commanding combination of emotionalism and bombast that's all their own. They've matured into an accomplished, effective and affecting local act. Get Busy

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