Turn the People is the debut album from Australian alternative rock group Monks of Mellonwah, and serves as the end result of an EP trilogy that showcased numerous sides of the band’s sound.
Together,
Ghost Stories,
Afraid to Die and the final instalment
Pulse comprise the songs found on this debut full-length album. As separate entities they were reasonably effective, each having a certain sound that tied the tracks together. On
Turn the People these songs have been reordered and it is immediately noticeable that this actually benefits the album, as there is cohesion running through it without seeming like three EPs simply played one after another.
After a brief intro, the opening two tracks preserve their original ordering from the
Ghost Stories EP, easing the listener into the album effectively. These are a couple of the catchiest songs in the Monks’ catalogue and they make for a magnificent start. Lead single “Tear Your Hate Apart” is next and shows the band’s willingness to delve into more electronic sounds while still maintaining their alternative roots. This and following track “Pulse” are definite album highlights and maintain the momentum created at the beginning of the record.
Elsewhere,
Turn the People sees the Monks flirting with funk, space rock and neo-prog elements, clearly showing influence from groups such as Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse. The title track sees the band opting for an atmospheric approach, creating a whirlwind of psychedelic guitars and electronics. Meanwhile, “Downfall” and “Escaping Alcatraz” remind us that this is a band that can rock out hard when they want to. In contrast, “I Belong to You” is a gentle acoustic ballad that is full of emotion and subtle instrumental nuances. It also sets up the album for an epic finale, which is more or less what “Sky and the Dark Night Part 2 – Control” provides.
Monks of Mellonwah certainly have a bright future ahead of them, so long as they continue to churn out quality material like that found on
Turn the People. The consistency of their first full-length effort implies that they are ready to move into the realm of longer releases and, with a slight bit of tweaking here and there, could go on to create a modern alternative classic.
