It's Only Us (LP)
Monophonics
Amoeba Review
On their newest album, Bay Area psychedelic soul group Monophonics sound like they were captured in a late ‘60s time capsule and vacuum sealed until just now. Not only has the band internalized the songwriting chops that define the soul legends of yesterday, whether that be Curtis Mayfield or The Four Tops, but the album features vintage production to boot. Mixed in a way that characterizes the days when mono vs. stereo was a legitimate purchasing decision, featuring drums panned all the way left and vocals/piano hard right (with a healthy smattering of tape echo to go around), It’s Only Us is the real deal; gritty stripped-down R&B goodness that rejects style and studio sheen over substance. For fans of Sharon Jones, The Frightnrs, and, of course, all classic pop music in general.