 |
Jovials SOTF 021 March 8, 2011 |
Digital $8.00 |
CD $12.00 |
 |
American Apparel Short Sleeve T-Shirt Navy |
$15.00 |
Stream
Pelica
Track List
1. Jovials2. Pelica
3. The Wind & the Paths
4. Ode to an Ashen Bear
5. Laine
6. Of Snow
7. Yours to Keep
8. Trainspire/Ode to Lakmé
9. Winter's Backdrop
10. Yellow Blue & Green
11. Fall Hard
12. Kelly Don't You Change a Thing
13. To My Dearest Love, Zee
14. I Won't Laugh
Album Description
The River Monks' sound is mostly light-hearted, energetic, free-spirited and youthful, which can be heard on their debut full length release, aptly titled Jovials. They combine intricate yet delicate guitars and sing-along choruses, upbeat tempos and intense buildups, unconventional structures and fierce musical knowledge throughout their songs.
Notes
The River Monks are Ryan Stier, Nick Frampton and Joel Gettys. Jovials was produced and mixed by Nick Frampton with help from Brook Edwards, Stephen Fisk and motivational producer Drew Rauch, and was mastered by Bryon Dudley. All songs were performed by The River Monks with additional help from Mallory Heggen, James Kennedy, Drew Rauch, Forest Cochran, Timmy Barich, Mike Ernst, Sarah Hughes, Katie Bethune and Feta. Jovials was recorded from May to December, 2010 at Nick's home in Creston, IA with additional tracks recorded in Clive, IA. Artwork layout and design was created by Austin Semerad and Cassie Semerad. All songs were written by The River Monks.
Press
Jovials, the first full length album Des Moines-based band The River Monks, does not fall short of magnificent. From the opening harmonies of "Jovials" all the way through final track "I Won't Laugh," the album offers up a feel good sound that really pulls in the listener with infectious vibes of happiness.
Drawing from folk influences as well as indie rock and pop, Jovials is the kind of album that any avid music fan can listen to all the way through without boredom or disappointment. The album clearly highlights the music talent of each member, as the instrumentals in each song are not only incomparable but also clean-sounding and recognizable to any ear. Ukulele, guitar, and various percussion instruments especially stand out, just to name a few.
With catchy lyrics and harmonies that incorporate female and male vocals alike, each song has a unique feel that sets it apart from the other tracks. Listeners will not catch themselves falling into a lull with this album, and it is simply a refreshing listen great for any music fan. The album is fitting for The River Monks, which draws on their name that was inspired by a group of monks that fished in the Des Moines river long ago. The sound is rather organic and natural, not forced or overdone. The album has a peaceful and calm tone to it, but not in a put-the-listener-to-sleep sort of way. It instead has the feel of a lazy Sunday afternoon spent lounging and relaxing on a sunny patch of grass.
Overall, Jovials is a great album that any music fan will enjoy simply because of its stand-out qualities and the passion behind each track. Support Des Moines' ever-growing local music scene by having a listen to The River Monks, some of the pioneers of our city's music movement.
The new album from the Des Moines band The
River Monks is a crisp, clean and gorgeous collection of
breezy acoustic pop songs. Their style of pop has a depth by
the element of Americana and folk music in their sound. All
the members of the four-piece have some serious folk chops:
each tone of every instrument on this record is clear,
bright and balanced against the other instruments.
The record is also notable for the richly layered vocal
harmonies that grace the songs. The lead vocalist and
primary songwriter, Ryan Stier has a well-defined upper
range, which at times may remind you of Sufjan Stevens or
Elliott Smith. His voice blends very well with the voices of
his bandmates; the harmonies are an instrument of their own.
The River Monks represents and celebrates Des Moines with
pride. Their name references the French meaning of the
phrase “Des Moines,” and their album cover is graced with
the outline of the state of Iowa. I love it that more and
more bands are consciously promoting the state of Iowa and
the musical culture we have here.
The River Monks are also representative of a particular
style of indie folk/pop that is thriving in Des Moines right
now. You could almost call it the Des Moines Sound.
Excellent acts like Cashes Rivers, Canby, Seedlings and
Parlours have some serious traction in the scene, and they
all share a taste for clean-sounding tones, soaring melodies
enriched by lovely vocal harmonies and a clean, polished
finish. The River Monks will head out on tour in May to
support their new record, and I have no doubt they will
leave behind a good impression of Des Moines and Iowa
wherever they go.
-Nate Logsdon
Admittedly, I’ve been captivated by Des Moines-based Sleep on the Floor’s impressive catalog thus far, giving every indie-rock album it has sent my way in the last couple of years good reviews for good reasons. Owner Austin Semerad has a knack for recording quality records by talented local bands, and The River Monks’ “Jovial” is no exception thanks in large part to its highly textural, spacious, indie-rock-folk sound that defies the stigma of home recordings. On “Jovials,” singer-songwriter-guitarist Ryan Stier, Joel Gettys, Ryan Frampton and newcomer Drew Rauch (with help from other local musicians) deliver 14 creative, contemplative tracks (“Pelica,” “Of Snow,” “Winter’s Backdrop” and “Yellow Blue & Green”) that demonstrate unconventional song structures and musical knowledge to good effect on this intimate, intelligent offering from Sleep on the Floor.