If you ever sit down and listen to an entire album, and realize that some of the melodies have been embedded in your brain, you may either curse the band or realize that it’s onto something that’s a lot better than the radio fodder you’re spoon-fed every day.
The latter is the case with the self-titled debut from Toledo group BadMonkey. Throughout the album, the music combines the clean tones of Dire Straits (“Woman in Love”), world music reminiscent of Paul Simon’s dabblings on “Graceland” (“Hides Her Heart”), the guitar solos of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour (“Love Letter from Hell”), and Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas” (“Real Love”). Although you may hear hints of other artists in BadMonkey’s music, comparisons don’t do the band justice.
BadMonkey has a fresh perspective on rock with crisp production and a thinking man’s pop-hook mentality that stands on its own. It makes you glad that our hairy monkey-like ancestors evolved into the hairy musicians of today. Now, run out to Boogie Records, and buy the CD!
