Monster Mash

From the desk of Ned P. Rauch:

Turns out Monsters of Folk is a good a idea. Very good idea. I just picked up (or downloaded from iTunes, actually) their self-titled debut and have been enjoying it thoroughly. A little bit country, a little bit rock, a little bit folk, a little bit roots and a touch of pop. I think what makes it work is that this collection of bandleaders comes together as band—not just several individuals taking turns backing each other up. It works. Sixteen cuts and not a dud among them. Tight harmonies, as on the penultimate song, "His Master's Voice," on which Jim James, from My Morning Jacket, sings lead. It rings of "Hammond Song," by the Roches. It may be my favorite song on the record. That or "Baby Boomer," which includes the lines, "I've been sent here on a mission to find what we agree upon/We don't agree about September/Could we agree about Vietnam." Great record. Give it a listen.