Monarch

Item: The Grandeur That Was Rome
Author: Justin Brinker

The Grandeur That Was Rome

(2004)

Reviewed by Justin Brinker

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Northern RecordsDecapolisApril 2004

art rock dream pop indie rock post-rock

If I were to sit down and try to describe the sound of Monarch's music I would never be able to do them justice. Several words come to mind: beautiful, emotive, haunting, sad, cathartic, just to name a few. The Radiohead references have been thrown around too loosely, and while the band does show affection for the Englishman, their music is worlds away. Monarch hails from Pittsburgh, PA and is made up of Brennan Strawn, Brett Zoric, Joe Salomond, and Aaron Strawn.

The Grandeur that was Rome is driven by two key components: the vocals of Brennan Strawn and the piano. Combined, they both create an eerie but beautiful atmosphere.

The album begins with 'Talk Is Cheap/The Undefeated' driven by piano, guitar, and drums while Strawn bemoans, 'Don't leave at all, don't leave at all, I'm sorry now'. It's almost reminiscent of the crying heard, or the emptiness felt when a lover leaves.

The album moves along with 'Create-A-Monster' which boasts a string effect to start off the song and a piano to accompany the vocals in the background. We see a different side of the band in 'Wasteful', a guitar driven song that reminds me more of a Death Cab song than Monarch. 'Just Perfect' uses a drum loop that would leave Depeche Mode with a grin, while 'I Have Deihl' sounds like a piano intro Beethoven or Mozart would have written.

The lyrical content touches on relationships with others and with God, and at times almost reminds you of a conversation you are eavesdropping on between two people.

If you are looking for something to listen to that will not challenge you, that won't make you think, or something to distract you from whatever you are doing, then look elsewhere. Monarch has created a modern day symphony--a great work of art.

3/4