Former Monarchs – The Wisdom of Crowds
Review by Ian Cusack
They say our generation are too lazy or cowardly to take to the streets in rebellion against the political forces which have left our country in its present dire state. They may not have been waving placards outside Leinster House, but the lads in Former Monarchs were doing the other things synonymous with economic depressions, like the musicians of Seattle and Toronto in times past,they used their frustration to fuel their creativity. The result is EP opener ‘My Friend Has No Job’,an ultra-aggressive yet touchingly poignant portrayal of what the recession means for so many of the ‘lost generation.’
This theme of rebellion is revisited throughout the four tracks on The Wisdom of Crowds and the fevers energy of the curtain raiser remains a constant. Combining Reuben-esque intensity with the ferocity of Hope is Noise, Former Monarchs create an up-tempo, almost catchy blend of rock,revolving around vocal harmonies and edgy guitar lines.
Having clearly mastered the loud-quiet-loud progression in the opening two tracks, the EP runs as light risk of growing repetitive. Cue the danceable, funky number ‘Sparks & Fires’ with more than a hint of Redneck Manifesto influence. The throat shredding vocals and screeching guitar on ‘Chain ofCommand’ bring the EP to a suitably anarchic end.
Former Monarchs represent the amalgamation of previous Cork favourites The Avalanches Effect and Burn Us Both. Boasting a discernible enthusiasm to write songs and perform since the band’s formation in 2010, Former Monarchs have wasted little time in getting gigs alongside the likes of&U&I, And So I Watch You From Afar, and Overhead The Albatross.
The Wisdom of Crowds is a fantastic, if raw debut release. But more significantly it marks the start of a journey for Former Monarchs. If they keep progressing at the rate they have to date, just where this journey will take them remains excitingly unclear.