The Monorchid
Who Put Out the Fire?
Touch and Go
This is the second full-length release from the Monorchid, and it comes in the wake of their recent break up. If their first record, Let Them Eat… , was the sound of a man losing his balance, Who Put Out the Fire? is the recording of his fall. Which is to say, this is even a little more skewed, a little more experimental, a little more realized, even though it’s not recorded as well.
For those of you unaware, the Monorchid is D.C. punk turned on its head and spun dizzy. Two guitars alternately duel and sync, hardly ever relying on chords for power, which the rhythm section amply provides. But the crown jewel is the inimitable singing of Chris Thomson. If there’s a Mick Jagger in the indie world, Chris Thomson is it. Not because he sounds like he should be singing for the Rolling Stones (blah!), but because he oozes attitude all over the song and shapes it into something it would otherwise never be.
More strong stuff from a band I wish I saw live. Touch and Go Records, P.O. Box 25520, Chicago, IL 60625.
