Search - Jay Munly :: Munly & Lee Lewis Harlots

A Strong Pioneering Effort

Sleepy a/k/a | Washington, DC United States | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Munly's music probably best falls in the gothic americana genre if such a genre exists (could possibly include the Pinetop Seven, Dolorean, James Yorkston, 16 Horsepower, Willard Grant Conspiracy, etc.). (Hey, could we call it "E. Poe" as a foil to emo?) If people who are unfamiliar with his work are looking for a further reference point, think an Americana Nick Cave and you're on the right track.



After listening to "alternative" music for over twenty years, it is those albums that possess a visionary quality that catches my attention these days. Munly is such a visionary artist -- who else could perform a Gothic tale involving boxer Jerry Cooney (the 1980's "Great White Hope") and then turn his focus on eulogizing eunichs? Brilliant.



There are certainly three or four songs on the two Munly CDs I have that, musically, don't do it for me. But, like many of my favorite bands, when the bow is aimed high, the arrow is bound to miss the mark on a few shots. As a result, I readily forgive these misfires.



One more note: The full-sentence song titles may could feel a little Spinal Tappish in less capable hands, but with Munly they give the songs further goth flavoring. To this end, I cannot imagine a cooler title than the "Big Black Bull Comes Like A Caesar" for the second track (which in my opinion, is the best track on the CD)."

Great!

G. Klein | Fort Collins, CO | 01/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the darkest, most stirring albums I've ever heard. It has an old timey vibe but it's definitely unique and modern. It's twisted, gentle, and fantastic. Munly has captured that "Denver Sound" and brought it another step beyond what's been done before."

Bizarre but beautiful

Heather Olivier | Lafayette, LA | 08/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Munly might be a little much to handle for newcomers to the whole Denver goth-country scene, populated by such bands as 16horsepower and woven hand, but if given a chance you will be pleasantly surprised. And don't let the occasional use of a banjo fool you, Jay Munly obviously thinks very deeply about the use of everyday images along with bizarre rituals and circumstances to write lyrics that at times seemed plucked from some nightmarish post-civil war folk song, and at others to be crafted from his very own unique mythos. I hate to sound like a pompous ass when doing this reveiw, but its just so good that only big fancy words will suffice in describing it. I mean, how many albums feature a man singing about how he became a eunuch in prison, in a wavering soprano voice? Buy this album and enjoy it."