By Jordan Fritz
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Mono is a Japanese post-rock band who make sad, bleak and beautiful music through the use of layered guitars, a string section and sparse drumming. The album begins with feedback and static swirls underneath calming glockenspiel in “Ashes in the Snow.” An explosion of sound occurs marking the first of many crescendos on the album and most likely causing you to tear up a bit. As with most Mono records, Hymn To The Immortal Wind is composed of long, dynamic compositions ranging from quiet wanderings to full bombastic movements you would expect to find in a symphony.
Mono figured out long ago that vocals were merely a distraction from the emotion they are trying to portray. A wise lady once said, “The saddest things are the most beautiful and what matters besides beauty?” Every song contained on this album is like sitting in your room alone with Moya playing on repeat. If you feel like doing some soul-searching or contemplating an orange, listen.