Monroe Mustang - I am the Only Running Footman EP
(Emperor Jones)
Monroe Mustang released two CDs towards the end of 2000, De Avonden
091099, a live recording done for Dutch radio, and this EP showcasing
the songwriting of the different band members. I am the Only Running
Footman has five songs, each written by a different member of the band.
The songs are all similar to Monroe Mustang's normal lo-fi 70s rock
psychedelia, as it seems all five are affected by the same psychotropic
substances murking up Austin, Texas' drinking water, but key differences
do exist.
The first song, "F.L.N.W.K." by J. Stout (from the KMFDM school of
acronyms for Funny Little New Wave Kid), is the weakest, sounding
like Barrett-era Pink Floyd doing carnival music, a suitable
soundtrack for a juggling clown riding a unicycle. "Weren't
Gone" by C. Linnen is more along the lines of a country
singer-songwriter like Johnny Cash. Linnen uses simple acoustic
guitar strumming to carry the song, his sweet and sentimental
voice seemingly telling an adversary to stay the fuck out of Dodge.
B. Barry's "Spirits of Unfreedom" wouldn't have sounded out of
place (amazingly) on Air's Virgin Suicides soundtrack
with its 70s vibe using simple pop keyboard elements, ambience
from organ and feedback, and lyrics about turning 19 and running
away. M. Linnen's "Your Shapeless Heart" is your standard
song-long crescendo, using guitar, organ, and odd noises to
gradually build to a beautiful finish. T. Holland's "The Ford
Chevy Debate" ends the EP with its most upbeat song (relatively
speaking), very reminiscent of 70s stoner rock.
The idea for this EP--each member writing a song--is interesting,
and it's amazing how well this EP turned out considering its
origins. The idea has created music much like Monroe Mustang's
standard lo-fi 70s psychedelia but slightly more diverse. This
is a great EP, one you can't really understand why you like it
so much but the disc just keeps making its way back into your
stereo.
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