The Bear Quartet
Monty Python
Adrian Recordings
Now that I've had a week to immerse myself in this record, I can say that it is a masterpiece -- there's really no other way to describe it. I expected it to be great, but I didn't expect it to be this great. I'm not going to hide, I've always been very vocal on my admiration for The Bear Quartet, but I've always felt that as an objective music listener, one can frequently be disappointed by their favorites. Whilst "89" was our reintroduction to the band (as well as their reintroduction to themselves, which they've recently mentioned), "Monty Python" comes off as not only a self-reevaluation, but also as a reevaluation of the current state of music -- "We're not gonna make it" serves not only as a comment on the industry, but as the current social and economic pitfalls which are robbing humanity in all aspects. "You you you you you you", "Fist or hand" and "Lovers goodbye" are some of the most tenderly affecting songs the band has ever written. The album's swansong, "Silent film" sums up not only the record, but the perhaps comes as close as ever to explaining the band -- they not only dictate the audience, but are one and the same -- as are we all.
- Matt Giordano
