Can't brush off
Monarchs as another "pretty-girl-with-achingly-satisfying-vocals-fronting-tight-indie-outfit" no matter how hard you try. Claiming both ATX and Birmingham, AL (BAL?) as their HQs, their self-proclaimed influences run a similarly interesting gamut, including both
Jerry Garcia and
Amy Winehouse. Fortunately, at this early point in their career, they've none of the contrived grit of the petrol-huffing, boyfriend-slicing latter yet some of the experience and good-nature of the former, relying on their admirable material to draw out lead hottie singer/pianist Celeste Griffin's pristine vocals to the dirtiest degree they seem capable of achieving, which is still a bottle of Wellbutrin short of
Chan Marshall, and three cases of Jack shy of
Janis Joplin's historic howling. The result: something close to southwestern soul perfection, eclipsing and expanding on burned-out poseurs like Brightblack Morning Light with their brighter eyes and easy dynamics. Tonight, at
Emo's (?!) this troupe is celebrating the release of an album proper, including on the bill two luminous local singer-songwriters who also preach the soft-touch:
Dana Falconberry and
Bosque Brown. Bring a hanky.
[Monarchs Myspace]
[Bosque Brown Myspace]
[Dana Falconberry Myspace]
