MONUMENT (Washington, D.C.)
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Dan Doggett – bass / vocals
Brandon Korch – drums
Anton Kropp – guitar
Gabe Marquez – guitar / vocals

BIO
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If you were betting that Goes Canoeing would make good on the potential of Monument‘s past releases, not to mention the lofty expectations of so many emo boosters, then you picked the perfect time to wager all your underground cred. Seriously, go ahead and bet the farm. Of course, you’d be selling the band waaaay short as these ten exhilarating, kinetic songs ricochet off so many different musical touchstones that it’s absolutely dizzying … and more fun than anyone should have in half an hour’s time.

From post-punk, noise-pop, grungy 90′s indie rock and even the Dischord-styled hardcore of the band’s D.C. home, Goes Canoeing is as loose and raw as it is infectious and intricately layered. More strikingly is how the members of Monument have grown by leaps and bounds as songwriters. Not many people can compose music this dynamic and brimming with energy … that always feels like its on the verge of careening off the tracks while simultaneously transmitting as completely unforced and organic. This is a record that you know took a lot hard work and countless hours to make, yet it all sounds like second nature to the band.

Perhaps Monument’s most charming, engaging attribute is its ability to craft songs with depth and complexity, as well as a wealth of peculiar chord progressions and unconventional harmonies. On paper, Goes Canoeing doesn’t seem like a record that would drill itself into your brain and stay there for days and days, but songs like “Glass House,” “This Is 113″ and “Diamond Age” are teeming with loads of off-kilter pop moments: contagious sing-along choruses, background whoa-ohs, chunky riffs and a propulsive rhythm section that simply doesn’t quit, to name just a few. You’re as likely to discover a bout of animated hand clapping or an off-the-cuff trumpet solo as you would a wiry, complex guitar line, gruff call-and-response shouting or a swelling instrumental interlude that’s more indicative of the current batch of emo revivalists.

Obviously, we love that Monument’s foundation was built by bands like Braid and Cap’n Jazz, but there’s just as much Meneguar or Teenage Cool Kids thrown in the mix as well. More importantly, let’s recognize Goes Canoeing for blazing its own unique path. These are wonderfully skewed, raucous anti-anthems for emo, indie, punk and hardcore kids alike. We thought that Monument would probably dream up with something amazing, but we never expected them to compose a record that would establish a new template for this type of underground DIY music for years to come.

RELEASES
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Goes Canoeing 12″ (TE106)
Release Date: 03/22/11

Well worth the wait, Monument’s highly anticipated debut full-length fulfills the potential that the D.C. quartet’s 2006 demo, The Florida EP and especially the 3 Song 7″ hinted at. Goes Canoeing isn’t so much a melding of styles but rather the culmination of a vast array of influences, not to mention years of  members playing in bands such as The Summer We Went West, Dawntreader and The Tasty Habits. Recorded by Algernon Cadwallader’s Joe Reinhart, these 10 songs are bursting with acrobatic guitars, spirited gang vocals and uncommonly catchy melodies bolstered by Monument’s creativity and undeniable enthusiasm.  The first great, essential release of 2011. Read more …