MONOPHONICS Vinyl & CDs

Review: Monophonics have amassed a fine following over the last decade thanks to their heavy soul and psych-rock sound. They are led by singer Kelly Finnigan and members have a rich history as veteran touring performers and as individuals growing up in the Bay Area all of which is drawn upon now for their fourth release since 2012. It's Only Us is, they say, "a reflection of what they see as the current state of the world." It addresses gun violence, mental health, broken relationships and much more with high-level production and their signature soul sound present throughout.

Review: Fans of Tame Impala listen up, American Psych-Soul band Monophonics have released another 45 from their acclaimed 2022 album 'Sage Motel'. Frontman, and LA native, Kelly Finnigan is the conductor of this train taking the listener through a journey of Bay area psych guitars, 60s soul trumpets and Motown influences sprinkled here and there. No better do all these things collide than on Side A's 'Warpaint', the eighth track on the album and predecessor to Side B's slow-jam 'Crash & Burn'. 'Warpaint' is a brassy quick-stepper of a track, featuring all the hallmarks of the jukebox era as Aquiles MagaNa shreds mid-way through. The tumbling drums and big band trumpets give way to a psychedelic breakdown, before picking things up where they left off in a grandiose crescendo.

Review: Over the last decade, San Francisco sorts Monophonics have firmly established themselves as one of the soul scene's most dynamic bands - a fiery live outfit whose distinctive blend of heavy soul and psychedelic rock has made their numerous albums must-check affairs. "It's Only Us", their fifth album and first for five years, is another superb set, with the band's now trademark sound being expanded to include songs that make extensive use of sweeping strings, softer and groovier arrangements and lyrics that tackle a variety of weighty personal, political and social subjects.

Review: San Francisco psychedelic soul ensemble Monophonics were once described by Stax Records co-owner Al Bell as "one of the best soul bands I have ever seen", which is high praise indeed. Mirrors, which comes pressed onto clear green vinyl, is the combo's fifth full-length and first album for three years. It's a surprisingly breezy and eclectic affair, with the band variously turning their hands to bluesy, Rare Earth style funk-rock ("Lying"), Hammond-heavy peak-time business (a tasty cover of Frankie Valli's "Beggin"), spiraling instrumental wig-outs (fabulous closer "California Dreaming"), heart-aching torch songs ("My Heart Cries") and laidback, acid-fried Balearic soul (opener "Summer Breeze"). In other words, it's a fine album that sparkles from start to finish.

Review: For fans of 60s/70s soul, American Psych-Soul band Monophonics have released another 45 from their acclaimed 2022 album 'Sage Motel'. Frontman and LA native, Kelly Finnigan is the conductor of this train taking the listener through a journey of Bay-area psych guitars, 60s soul trumpets and Motown influences sprinkled here and there, printed on a limited swirled 7" disc. Side B's 'Crash & Burn' is the mellow ballad that succeeds Side A's 'Warpaint', originally the ninth track on the ten-track LP. A sombre, wistful track that sees Finnigan's keyboard skills on full display, the psychedelic elements taking over, having an element of St Vincent's groovy 2021 album 'Daddy's Home' in its warbling synths and hippie-esque percussion. You don't know whether you want to cry to it or get high to it, or both.

Review: Here comes a meltingly powerful 7" split single by Monophonics and Kelly Finnigan, a psychedelic soul band and a singer from California respectively. Monophonics' contribution is a classic: 'Love You Better', a catchy, soulful belter concerning a formerly broken relationship, and the sacrifices it takes to pick up the pieces. The flipside, meanwhile, is a newer one from Finnigan; 'The Shape Of My Teardrops', which reckons with grief in the form of a surreal, rimshotting slow jam.