Review Summary: Exactly what you need on those grey days inside your head.
Whenever I get in a mood where everything is just a drag and I don’t what to think about anything for a while, there’s one particular strain of music that I find helps me absorb the grey haze around my mind. That particular strain is alternative rock. In particular, the kind that has warm guitars, a steady rhythm and a vocalist that can deliver it straight from the soul. An album that perhaps embodies this sound to the full-stop is Monoral’s Turbulence.
Hailing from Japan, Monoral channel a sensible radio friendly rock sound without being absent of feeling; deliberate and empowering. Monoral are a rather particularly distinguishable J-rock band due to their completely intelligible English lyrics, the singer was born in London and raised in France and speaks four languages. Because of this, you don’t have to be familiar with Japanese to be able to listen to the singer and even sing along yourself (you do have to be familiar with English though, but if you’re reading this, I’ll assume that you are) you won’t even notice that it’s a J-rock album at all.
The composition on Turbulence can be likened to a traditional Italian pizza; it’s simple and there aren’t a lot of components but God damn is it delicious. The guitars have a warm, fuzzy tone to them but are just crunchy enough to rock out to. The drums sit nicely in the centre at a volume that is clear and holds the songs rather than trying to take over them. The drums provide just the right amount of energy to the tracks to keep you interested, this is especially effective in “VISIONS IN MY HEAD,” which quite nicely demonstrates how Monoral’s radio sensibilities sit right beside their integrity as artists. The vocals are outstanding throughout the album, the production allowing you to hear the hint of rasp in singer Anis Shimada’s golden voice.
Fans of the anime Ergo Proxy will be familiar with their insanely empowering number “Kiri” and can expect to be pleasantly surprised that the song is closely matched in strength by other deep-cut tracks like the catchy yet emotionally tangible “Monkey Cage,” with its soothing delay-laced intro and verses, and its refreshing chorus that takes you away from whatever it is that you’re brooding about and takes you on a summer road trip in a convertible with the wind blowing in your face and the sun beating down on your skin. Similar moments on Turbulence that bring about this euphoric sense of escape are the choruses of “Sparta,” the vocal melody sending a rush of spirit right into your head, freeing you from the clutches of everyday life. The choruses on Turbulence are where the majority of the high moments on the album are found, as per most straight cut alternative rock albums.
Although you can definitely accuse Turbulence of perhaps outlasting its own flair a little after the standout “Kiri,” Turbulence certainly welcomes multiple listen unto itself thanks to its undeniably listenable nature. While Turbulence certainly is nothing innovative or out there, I’ll be damned if it isn’t one hell of a solid album. Everything about Turbulence is bonded together in a tried and tested format that works perfectly for it. While the album doesn’t have a lot to say about itself, it has a quaint little charisma to it. Its radio-friendly charm isn’t necessarily unique, but it somehow makes it its own. Turbulence is a modest alternative rock album that is perfect for when you need a little bit of musical nirvana on those grey days inside your head, transporting you to an atmosphere not unlike the somehow nostalgic scenery on its cover. Highly recommended to anyone from any musical orientation, Turbulence is a little something that everyone can enjoy.
