Album Review: Moneytree - The Great Indoors: Part III

Southampton based alt rockers Moneytree don’t have an album out yet but are certainly prolific as the conclusion of their EP trilogy, ‘The Great Indoors: Part III’, goes to show. Alt rock is a bit of a catch-all definition when it comes to guitar based rock music but it’s the only way to really describe the band whose mash of extended instrumentals and interesting vocal styles are undoubtable rocking and definitely an alternative to a lot of the other guitar based bands out there.

‘The Great Indoors: Part III’ opens with ‘The Science Of Gambling’ and a fairly standard acoustic guitar sound that quickly morphs in to a complex and fascinating arrangement that takes over the song and is so far from the radio-friendly indie fare that infiltrates the airwaves daily that it doesn’t even draw comparisons. Chanted lyrics bookend the instrumental break and the strong British adds a level of grit and rawness that no American counterpart could imitate. There’s a clear math rock influence but by the first track it is already clear that Moneytree refuse to be put in to a box.

Later on the record ‘The Gable Of Science’ will do a similar thing but faster with the same structure, vocal style and layered instrumental that somehow manages to sound completely different. The musically inclined could probably list all the technical reasons but to the untrained ear it’s quite a spectacular realization.

Switching it up ‘Medicineland’ is a much more lyrically-driven, commercial track that wouldn’t be out of place on the Radio One playlist. It’s catchy and melodic but the band’s musicianship is never sacrificed to achieve that. Moneytree have the talent to be huge but refuse to dumb themselves down for the mainstream. World Of Autumn is a close runner up for standout track, however, as the mellowest song but one of the most musically complex and layered.

Standout track ‘Seven Steps’ is right in the middle of the record. The strong, passionate, rough-around-the-edges vocals fit perfectly with the gentle guitars and crashing drums. The vocals really aren’t the point, though. The lyrics are smart and honest but the voice is just another instrument. ‘Grave And Aloof’ flips the dynamic on its head, contrasting smooth drums and steady guitars with the raw screaming of Band Of Skulls vocalist Russell Marsden adding an unexpected edge and female vocal melodies balancing it all back out again. Moneytree thrive on contradictions.

‘The Great Indoors: Part III’ is a slow burn. It’s a nuanced, emotive, creative; alt rock at its best. It’s heavily percussion led in parts but balances out with a consistent guitar sound and a whole host of other instruments that both blend in and stand out at the same time. Moneytree combine a variety of genres to create something original but familiar feeling and really show off what they’re capable of.

4/5

‘The Great Indoors: Part III’ by Moneytree is released on October 25th through Sotones.

You can find Moneytree on MySpace and Facebook.

Francesca Vaney