Toofer Toosday - Charm City Edition

Something is going on in Baltimore. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something is up. Maybe it's all the 'BELIEVE' banners around town. Maybe the high crime rate has put the sense of urgency into everyone causing a massive surge of creative energy. Or not. Monarch is a duo straight out of Charm City that encorporates that creative energy previously mentioned. On their myspace they list their sound as Indie/Folk Rock/Experimental. The thing is...they're not quite folk rock. They're not quite experimental. I guess they're indie, but what isn't these days. Some reviewers labeled them shoegazer, but...not quite. What does that mean? Monarch plays their own brand of music defying labels and labelers. Layers upon layers of fuzzed out sound sewn together with soothing vocal harmonies lull me into a world that I don't want to leave(but eventually I have to...booo). If you're into beautiful, amazing, and generally 'good friggin' music', then Monarch is the cure for what ails you.

mp3: Monarch - Obituary --> website --> buy
mp3: Monarch - Regret

It's hard to believe that another musician in Baltimore is brushing categories off their shoulder in Jay-Z fashion. Orion Rigel Dommisse has a heavenly voice and sings over brilliantly arranged music. So what? That's been done before, you say. True, but Orion's delivery has an ancient feel to it. The instruments behind her voice feel like they're being played in a deep dark forest and the fire's almost out. Isn't that when music is at it's best. Sadness combined with beauty. Fear wrapped up in excitement. These musical weavings push Orion Rigel Dommisse into the famed category of 'Good Friggin' Stuff'.

mp3: Orion Rigel Dommisse - Fake Yer Death --> website --> buy