Hard to believe this band has been around for 20 years now. The female-fronted Canadian group started with their own self-released album, built up a following and then hit the big time (relatively speaking) when their 2009 album produced several singles that got massive play on the indie airwaves, followed by more success in 2012. And then for whatever reason, they fell out of favor and have been largely forgotten, despite releasing 3 quality releases since.
Cathal Coughlin created music for 40 years, up until his death in 2022. He began under the moniker Microdisney, before moving on to Fatima Mansions, and then finally just issuing music under his own name. Sometimes vicious, sometimes tender, sometimes bizarre. His later albums shared a dark lyrical bent with Hugo Race or even Nick Cave.
While their first few albums may have fit the Indie Rock label to a T, the more recent albums have introduced a gospel element, making for a very unique sound.
The House Of Love were one of those bands who bridged the gap between '80s new wave and '90s indie rock. A little Britpop, Alt rock, and shoegaze mixed together.
I remember in the mid-80s when RHCP and Fishbone would play every Friday at the Roxy on the (now-gone) Sunset Strip for $4. Back then, who would've thought...
Of Monsters And Men hail from Iceland and the fact they can't be compared to Bjork/Sugarcubes despite having a female singer is quite refreshing. Their sound has gone from an acoustic-based rock songs to more electronic-oriented pop sound.
