WALKING CLOUD AND DEEP RED SKY, FLAG FLUTTERED AND THE SUN SHINED

Japan's post-rock powerhouse gets some international guest stars in (including Steve Albini on production duties for extra indie rock cred) and brings out another compelling post-rock piece. It's very much in the same vein as that established by the likes of Mogwai or Godspeed You Black Emperor, but Mono are one of the few bands who pull off that style with such flair that it doesn't particularly matter that they don't sound enormously different from their inspirations. Mono just about manage to retain their own identity through their careful production and tight songwriting, which stands in contrast to the ramshackle improvisations of the other two groups, and on this album Steve Albini's production is perfect for Mono's painstaking and perfectionist take on post-rock.