Monsters Are Waiting - Fascination

Genre rock Publisher Retone Records/Hoola Hoof Records External Links Official Monsters Are Waiting Website Official Retone Records Website

The hipsters reached the summit of Mount Aural to consult with the hallowed monks of good taste. There they sighed their collective thoughts of Monsters Are Waiting's debut album Fascination. "Meh" was their answer.

With nothing standing out and virtually the same key uttered throughout, Monsters are Waiting come across as somewhat boring. Sometimes they suggest a younger version of Kim Deal's vocals or the indie rock equivalent to the current state of U2, but generally the album is underwhelming, stuck in the same key and rarely uplifting.

That being said, the band has promise and with a right hook here or there they could easily become summer music. "Nobody" and "Last Goodbye" are the stronger tracks on the album, with the former being suitable for U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind and the latter having the grandiose guitars like Coldplay.

As a compendium, the album lacks variety and gets tedious quick. I mean, doesn't lead singer Annalee Fery get sick of singing in that tone? She has a very pretty voice, to the point where it sounds like some computer manipulation was used, but Fascination does not properly show off her vocal range.

Musically, the songs are heavy with an atmospheric vibe, leaning heavily on single, soaring notes on electric guitar and are drenched every so often in an airy feedback.

After listening all one can do is shrug and move on, perhaps returning to Fascination after painting a room completely beige.