Girl at the Rock Shows

My concert tonight is a late one, which means I am sitting here with a couple of extra hours between running errands and doing typical “Saturday things” and heading out. This means now is a perfect time to dig into some new music, starting with ‘Record Dealin’ Dick EP’ from The Mona Reels.

This four-song, fifteen-minute EP starts with the title-track, “Record Dealin’ Dick”. It instantly hits you in just the right way. It’s powerful but playful at the same time and brings a very throw-back kind of vibe to your speakers. The infectious beat will make you want to get up and dance while the smooth vocals keep your feet on the ground. Epic piano parts heard woven throughout this song was the main thing that really hooked me but I know that’s just because, as a pianist myself, I’m a sucker for bands that put the keys in the forefront. There’s something vintage about the overall style of this song but, at the same time, I could see this fitting in perfectly with any modern indie pop playlist full of other infectious jams that make you move and groove. There’s a super fun little break in this track that reminded me of the days I spent slinging records at local record shops in Des Moines, Iowa while growing up. I won’t give it away but stick through this part. It’s a little long but it’s hilarious and will surely remind you of your music geek friend.

“Don’t be Late For the Last Time” takes a turn into something a bit more serious than The Mona Reels laid out in the first track. I loved that, although only the second track, this band was already showing you just how versatile they can be. This song is slow, steady, and much more severe than “Record Dealin’ Dick” but it is just as catchy (albeit in a completely different way). Again, I found myself following the dancing keyboard notes while also trying to take in the gorgeous nature of the words. Talk about poetry put to a song– this is truly a stunning piece of work that will hit you right in the feelings. I wish I had more to say about it but this was one of those songs where, after about a minute and a half of really listening to it, I just had to sit back and let it hit me the way it would. It led to a wonderful experience that I think you should really take advantage of. Just let your mind stop for a minute and let The Mona Reels take you over.

I thought it was an interesting move to put a live track as the third song on this four-song EP. I figured the recording quality of something being live would set it so far apart from the other tracks, making it a bit of a sore thumb, but I was so wrong. The live recording of “Thought Maybe I’d Place My Soul to the Devil” fits this EP, and The Mona Reels sound so perfect. It’s an epic song with this beautiful build throughout the track. I loved how you could hear the audience in some parts of this track and those moments when the audience went completely silent. You could literally hear The Mona Reels command the crowd throughout this lengthy six-minute and eleven-second song. Even as the song ramps up and you definitely get a raw recording style, I feel like it just felt everything about this EP and this band so perfectly. If this live recording doesn’t make you want to go see this band live as soon as possible then, honestly, there’s no hope for you.

‘Record Dealin’ Dick EP’ ends with the quick one-minute long song, “Chorale.” It’s a triumphant ending with all of the focus on the piano. It acts as a perfect palate cleanser, as if allowing you to move on with your day, but it also reminds you of the talent heard throughout this all-too-quick EP. As much as I wanted this album to keep going, I liked how The Mona Reels kept is quick and understated in a way.

Spoiler alert: I have another album from The Mona Reels on my desk to review. If you’re not entirely convinced that this band is for you after listening to this EP, just check back in a wee bit, and I will have a review of their album ‘Without Love’ ready for consumption.

The Mona Reels on Instagram

The Mona Reels on Facebook

The Mona Reels on BandCamp

Shameless Self Promotion:

Join My Patreon Here!

Buy Me a Coffee (Seriously!)

Check out my playlist HERE!