| CD REVIEW The Helper Monkeys |
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Band : The Helper Monkeys The Helper Monkeys were (because we have to speak in the past tense now, even if the – amical – break-up is only recent) a somewhat Garagey Pop Rock-with-Punky-touches quartet from Carmichael (a smal town some 25 kms East of Sacramento, California). In the 10 years that the boys (singer Jaz Brown, guitarist Mac Ryan, bassist/ backing singer Jeffrey Valentine, and drummer Craig Hancock) have been together, they have released a total of 4 albums (besides the one that prompted this article I have only found trace of their previous one, 2005's No Release, also issued through Green Door), played thousands of shows, smaoked uncountable packs of cigarettes (and bags of grass), and dranks gallons of whiskey shots! Throughout their carreer they've never lost the snotty/ obnoxious attitude they took when they started back in 1999 (taking their namely from a Simpsons episode), and in a way you would have to admire the guys for that. Apparently some of the boys...now men...have outgrown that juvenile attitude and felt they needed to grow up, which led to the inevitable break-up of the band. Still, the bassist is already involved in a new project called The Experience. As for the album at hand, I have to say I've listened to the 11 tracks (for a total listening time of just under 26 minutes) with mixed emotions, due to the sometimes unrespectful lyrics (check out album opener "Every Summer" for good measure). It's alright to be snotty and out-spoken, but when lust, the "need" to make love (say fornicate) is concerned there's less gross ways to talk about it than use the 4-letter "f"-word, eh? Oh well, I don't wanna come over shocked or anything, because I've heard quite more desciptive lyrics than that before, but every now and again the feminist in me needs to rebel somewhat! It's okay for youngsters to talk about the whole "sex" thing in such a way, but when teens become twens you would expect at least a líttle respect to grow, etc, etc... Anyways, to find out whether The Helper Monkeys' music might be something for you, dear reader, you only need to check out myspace.com/thehelpermonkey, where the band not only have posted a total of 5 songs, but also two videos with Jeff Valentine (who's apparently also released a solo album with Pop and Hip Hop tunes) being interviewed and playing two songs off the album on acoustic guitar prior to some concert in support of small local bands. Personally, I feel this kind of bands is nice enough for a night's entertainment or warm-up for a "bigger" act on a local level...but, because every country's probably got one or two bands like that, that's where they need to stay. 79/100 Tony. |