Review: Congoroo - No, Monkey no!

Info

Band: Congoroo

Album: No, Monkey no!

Style: Alternative Rock

Released: 2012

Label: none

From: Germany

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Congoroo/130494203628041

Website: www.congoroo.de

It is well known that concept albums are always a little more difficult to understand. To release a concept album as a debut is even more audacious. Usually. German band Congoroo have tried exactly that and put us onto their rash experiment. Let's see if they succeeded.

“Don't End Up” is the first song on “No, Monkey no!” and purveys a slightly melancholy mood by using spherical riffs and emotional vocals. A nice rock song for a start which is followed by a complete change in atmosphere. “Gibbon” has a little reggae twist to the verse and African-like backings in the chorus. This shows that the band's influences seem to be very extensive. If you didn't recognize the theme of the album by its name, you will here it in this song.

“One Day” is again completely different to the previous tracks. This time, the band goes Punk which definitely brings some change to the record. Variation is always a big plus in my eyes. The break at the end of the song is surprising and makes this track one of my favourites. The tranquil intro, that slightly reminds me of Lostprophets' “Last Summer”, supplies a mysterious atmosphere to “Welcome to Hell”. The song itself is the first more emotional and ballad-like track on the record, which I can only recommend to listen to for more than one time.

“Good Luck” is a little more rock-like again. It comes up with southern rock guitars and a great drive during the chorus. Adding to that, you play a great solo and there you have the next hit song. “Ape of Hate” is one of my absolute favourites of “No, Monkey no!”. Heavy metal tunes, underlined by the breakdown, follow the intro's jungle sounds; but still, even that track surprises with the sudden change of style after the hardcore-like chorus. What a song!

Time for a break, now. The piano-intro to “So Small” already indicates an opportunity to catch some breath. An emotional chorus and slightly bluesy guitars during the verse make it a great rock ballad. Add the explosive beginning of the solo to it and you get my next song recommendation. A track in the style of Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters”. “Pray for Rain” offers some more bpm and typical skate punk style riffs which you could find again when listening to old NOFX or Zebrahead records. That song could definitely be used for the beginning of one of these teen-comedy-films (you know the ones: Golden Gate Bridge, convertibles, sunshine, that kind of thing).

Following that is “Monkey Revolution”, again more ballad-like and with great guitars, songwriting, and a really emotional chorus. Another song recommendation. “You Say” is a very varied track. These guys do not just know what “balance” means, they live for it. The bass melody in the verse creates a great groove. The guitars make it rock. The song moves on to a punky rock song later and has a great solo to offer after the break. If I would recommend you to listen to it? Sure, but it's really hard for me to think of a song on this record that I wouldn't recommend.

Just when I thought there couldn't be any style of music these guys didn't cover, I am taught otherwise. “Hypnotize” is a typical nu metal track at first: rap during the verse and heavy, grooving guitars; but suddenly, all this collapses and I feel as if Congoroo passed me on from Limp Bizkit to Johnny Cash. People who whinge about songwriting here, really should question their knowledge of music. That must be every style of modern music covered, now. The only thing that's missing, I thought, is an acoustic track. Boom! That's the moment when “Hollow” began. Exactly, an acoustic track and with that, a very emotional and thought-provoking ending to the record. My last song recommendation, as well.

Variety, balance, extensive influences, and great songwriting are more than just convincing. The album's concept is pretty easily audible to everyone and although I never give more than 8 points for a debut, “No, Monkey no!” just deserves more than that.

Listen to: “One Day“, “Ape of Hate“, “So Small“, “Hypnotize“, “Hollow“

8,5 out of 10 points

Tracklist:
1. Don't End Up

2. Gibbon

3. One Day

4. Welcome to Hell

5. Good Luck

6. Ape of Hate

7. So Small

8. Pray for Rain

9. Monkey Revolution

10. You Say

11. Hypnotize

12. Hollow

Members:

Vocals: Matze

Guitar: Stefan

Guitar: Max

Bass: Marcel

Drums: Gregor