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Album Reviews
Album review: Munk – The Bird And The Beat (Gomma)
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 23 March 2011
Munk is the band of Italo-German DJ and musician Mathias Modica, whose two previous albums ‘Aperitivo’ (2004) and ‘Cloudbuster’ (2008) were released on his own label Gomma Records. Munk has also featured on numerous mixtapes by influential and fashionable electronica artists, such as Cut Copy’s ‘Fabric Live’ compilation and Friendly Fires’ ‘Bugged Out’ record.
The title of Munk’s third album almost seems driven by a single manifesto – if you like – to utilise the vocals of ten different female vocalists, from ten different countries. The diversity of talent on show is also reflected in the album’s varied musical palette. ‘The Bird And The Beat’ encompasses every different strain of electronic music imaginable, from the Italo Disco sounds of ‘La Musica’, complete with distorted vocals and 80s synths, to the homage to 90s house music, ‘No Moon’, with its infectious electronic piano hook. Melancholic funk makes an appearance on ‘Violent Love’, whilst the French chanson influenced ‘Tipsy?’ is an unlikely but welcome change in direction, though its production is still so modern so as to offset any accusations of just aiming for retro cool.
The album is clearly a labour of love for Modica, who single-handedly produced and recorded the album. His anything-goes approach and appreciation for music that cuts across several genres is at the heart of this record and he aims to bring all these miscellaneous influences together in one cohesive album. It’s natural that the odd track wouldn’t quite work because the change in vocals and style might seem a bit too jarring, but on the whole Munk succeeds with his aims. KW
Physical release: 21 Feb
