Red Monkey Albums (3)
'Gunpowder Treason & Plot'
Release Date 8/28/2001
Tracks 10
Label Troubleman Unlimited
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Difficult Is Easy'
Release Date 6/1/1999
Tracks 11
Label Troubleman Unlimited
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Red Monkey's core has always been their politics, and Difficult Is Easy is no exception. The band has always advanced their agenda -- down with materialist culture, up with self-actualization -- in refreshingly idealistic but occasionally clumsy slogans. Here, though, Red Monkey's music doesn't deliver often enough on the rush of empowerment that the group's lyrics promise. The album doesn't feature much variation in dynamics or texture and only a few passages are particularly catchy, so the songs all end up sounding fairly similar. Despite the pervasive sameness, Red Monkey's sound on Difficult Is Easy is impressive enough: the group's precise, angular post-punk sounds a bit like the Minutemen minus any funk influence, or like Fugazi with a more minimal, less-distorted guitar sound. But tracks on which Red Monkey manage to muster a memorable groove or a surprise dynamic change are the exception rather than the rule. Red Monkey newcomers should check out Difficult Is Easy only after hearing the later Gunpowder Treason & Plot, in which Red Monkey managed to combine their taut, jittery sound with more savvy songwriting. ~ Charlie Wilmoth, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Red Monkey was one of the finest bands to come out of the English Slampt family. They are in fine form on Make the Moment, tearing through political rants with the accessibly fractured vigor of Gang of Four or the Fall. The record distinguishes itself in general, but two things come across as outstanding and particular to Red Monkey: culturally, there's their ability to make entirely political lyrics work in a personal, intelligent, and restrained manner; musically, there's the fact that Make the Moment has as much melodic appeal as it does rhythmic post-punk aggression. All of which means that this is a fine, fine record. ~ Nitsuh Abebe, All Music Guide
