SOUNDTRACK: ALEXISONFIRE/MONEEN Split EP (2005).
This is a disc in which the Alexisonfire guys play 2 Moneen songs and the Moneen guys play 2 Alexionfire songs. (Plus two originals from each band). I picked this up when I ordered AOF’s Crisis, because according to MapleMusic, they couldn’t ship it outside of Canada. I figured it must be some kind of rare thing, until I saw it on Amazon, so I just ordered it there.
The “selling point” of the disc is, of course, hearing these guys play each others’ songs. However, I don’t know the originals, so it’s hard for me to comment on the covers. Regardless, this is a fun collection of two bands respectfully playing each others songs (albeit in a fun way).
Knowing what I do about the two bands, it’s interesting to see the different styles that they bring to the songs. AOF’s growl-y singer brings a hardcore edge to Moneen’s more emo tracks, and conversely, Moneen soften up AOF’s songs with their math rock leanings. Plus, there are a few surprises as well: “Passing Out in America” (done by AOF) has a great a capella section where the guys sing what I assume is a musical passage in Moneen’s original.
The Maplemusic listing and cover suggests that this is called “The Switcheroo” although my copy doesn’t state that on it. Maybe that’s what couldn’t leave the Canadian border.
[READ: November 1, 2008] “Opera”
This story feels like an excerpt, although I’m not sure that it is. There seems to be some things missing, which are only noticeable because of the things that are not missing. For instance, Michaela is off the boat from Ireland, but it doesn’t say where she presently is or where the story is set. The other character, Lola has no characteristics that mark her as being Irish (it doesn’t say she is, for instance) yet she uses the most general Irish slang when talking to Michaela: calling her “hen,” saying “in wee pieces” and “on you go.” None of these phrases are as Irish as say “caid mille failte” but they do give a bit of lilt to the character. But Lola’s background is basically left out, she may be Irish, she may not. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 