Comments on: Monkey Swallows the Universe – Live, Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Monday 11th February 2008 http://songbytoad.com/2008/02/monkey-swallows-the-universe-live-cabaret-voltaire-edinburgh-monday-11th-february-2008/ Independent music from Edinburgh, Scotland - with added gin and swearing. Wed, 23 May 2012 14:07:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Matthew http://songbytoad.com/2008/02/monkey-swallows-the-universe-live-cabaret-voltaire-edinburgh-monday-11th-february-2008/#comment-3044 Matthew Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:04:08 +0000 http://songbytoad.wordpress.com/?p=1288#comment-3044 No, I'd never consider them exciting exactly. Zach Condon and Sufjan Stevens are genuine innovators - although we'll see where Beirut go from here, as the last one wasn't a massive step - and I wouldn't put MStU in the same category at all. There's something more pastoral, comfortable and winsome about them. It's definitely a loveliness that can easily slip into the overly nice, as you say. But if you like the songs enough, as I tend to, then I don't think that's something to worry about. I still find The Casket Letters in particular to be really satisfying. But they aren't going to knock anyone's socks off (well, definitely not now) that's for sure, which may be why it took me so long to realise how much I actually like The Casket Letters in the first place. So I don't know if I'm agreeing with you or disagreeing, but I guess it just comes down to the fact that, reasoning aside, I probably just like them more than you. No, I’d never consider them exciting exactly. Zach Condon and Sufjan Stevens are genuine innovators – although we’ll see where Beirut go from here, as the last one wasn’t a massive step – and I wouldn’t put MStU in the same category at all.

There’s something more pastoral, comfortable and winsome about them. It’s definitely a loveliness that can easily slip into the overly nice, as you say. But if you like the songs enough, as I tend to, then I don’t think that’s something to worry about. I still find The Casket Letters in particular to be really satisfying.

But they aren’t going to knock anyone’s socks off (well, definitely not now) that’s for sure, which may be why it took me so long to realise how much I actually like The Casket Letters in the first place. So I don’t know if I’m agreeing with you or disagreeing, but I guess it just comes down to the fact that, reasoning aside, I probably just like them more than you.

]]> By: lotsofrandomwords http://songbytoad.com/2008/02/monkey-swallows-the-universe-live-cabaret-voltaire-edinburgh-monday-11th-february-2008/#comment-3043 lotsofrandomwords Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:48:51 +0000 http://songbytoad.wordpress.com/?p=1288#comment-3043 i was at this too. i agree, they were pretty good, but just too NICE for my taste. when there are other melodic folksters like Beirut and Sufajn Stevens doing this in a much more exciting way, you can't really argue with their decision to call time. still, a shame nonetheless. i was at this too. i agree, they were pretty good, but just too NICE for my taste. when there are other melodic folksters like Beirut and Sufajn Stevens doing this in a much more exciting way, you can’t really argue with their decision to call time. still, a shame nonetheless.

]]> By: Drunk Country http://songbytoad.com/2008/02/monkey-swallows-the-universe-live-cabaret-voltaire-edinburgh-monday-11th-february-2008/#comment-3042 Drunk Country Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:16:17 +0000 http://songbytoad.wordpress.com/?p=1288#comment-3042 See, I was confused. They were split up, they are doing final gigs, they weren't doing gigs, they released an album, they were spit up, blah blah blah. I'll have to wait for the interview, then, to see how they explain this slow-mo car crash. See, I was confused. They were split up, they are doing final gigs, they weren’t doing gigs, they released an album, they were spit up, blah blah blah.

I’ll have to wait for the interview, then, to see how they explain this slow-mo car crash.

]]> By: J. P. Lennon http://songbytoad.com/2008/02/monkey-swallows-the-universe-live-cabaret-voltaire-edinburgh-monday-11th-february-2008/#comment-3041 J. P. Lennon Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:41:49 +0000 http://songbytoad.wordpress.com/?p=1288#comment-3041 First time I heard or heard of them and I don't normally listen to indie folk, having been scared off by emo years ago, but these tracks were refreshing and definately deserve merit. There's also a slight prog feel to their sound, as well, that piques my interest. They should, at least, try another studio effort just to see what may come. I'm sure touring is why they're breaking up. It's why most bands break up. But, I'm sure a little knob twiddling and some guitar noodling in the confines of a well financed studio should help to discover some intriguing directions for the band. First time I heard or heard of them and I don’t normally listen to indie folk, having been scared off by emo years ago, but these tracks were refreshing and definately deserve merit. There’s also a slight prog feel to their sound, as well, that piques my interest. They should, at least, try another studio effort just to see what may come. I’m sure touring is why they’re breaking up. It’s why most bands break up. But, I’m sure a little knob twiddling and some guitar noodling in the confines of a well financed studio should help to discover some intriguing directions for the band.

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