PopSyndicate.com

Discords and screaming.  Yuck!

Psychedelic, progressive, with a dash of Blondie, the monotone of Monika H. Band will stick to your tongue and keep you awake all night.  I’m not saying you’ll have nightmares, but the strains of her music going through your head will definitely be an unpleasant experience.

Monika Heidemann is all over the keyboard with her highs and lows.  Discordant chanting to the beat of drums and electric guitar, Heidemann moves through each song as though it’s a battle to get to the last note.  Her voice is strong and her songs are innovative but all of it left me hanging.

In such titles as “Fun To Be Had, If You Let It,” “Moonshine,” and “Outgoing King,” there is so much going on that only Heidemann’s unfailing spirit gets us through the erratic music.
I expected more from this album than I received.  The only song that had any breadth of understanding and talent associated with it was “Disguised As Umbrellas, We Slept.”  It’s an upbeat number that has nothing to do with umbrellas.  Heidemann dotes on dischorded music to make her point.  I guess I liked it because of the guitar riffs and little singing by her.  Heidemann’s voice grated on my nerves each time she sang.

Don’t believe the raving review of band’s album from Time Out NY, which describes her as a “jazzer with the heart of a rocker” whose album combines “verse with smart attitude and punched up psychedelic-rock textures.”

Although described as progressive, I was totally turned off by the numbers on the 11-track album, with the exception of the “Umbrellas.”  I think she’ll be a hit at festivals and small venues, but it’s going to be a while before she’s the lead act at a show.

0