Sunn O))

Finally, a record for those of you who felt like even Scott Walker's The Drift was too commercial and uncomplicated! Fans of prog rock, classical, metal, goth, or any kind of drone ambient noise have a reason to rejoice this year. Sunn O, in conjunction with an orchestra, a choir, guitar virtuosos, and even some jazz trombonists, have made a masterpiece with Monoliths and Dimensions. With only 4 tracks that tally to over 53 minutes, this is a mood piece that demands your undivided attention and rewards you for it.

The beauty of this album isn't immediate, but in the way each track builds and flourishes over what seems like an eternity. The stunning closer "Alice" involves slow guitar strums over subtle blares of horns. The fragmented tones is reminiscent of the last Stars Of The Lid album (for the five of us who bought that one) with its subtle fragile beauty. Around the 13 minute mark, the guitar fades out to leave violins, a harp, and a breathtaking trombone solo.

Th opener "Aghartha" is as straightforward as the album gets with its dark guitar drone and spoken/growl vocals. "Big Church" features harsh guitar strums with gothic choir vocals that fade in and out, making way for multi-voiced chanting. This album is terrifying in its beauty, but once it starts you won't want to go anywhere until you've completed the journey.

If you are in the mood for something completely different, original, and unmatched in modern music, try this out. If you like your music is catchy three-minute form, please look elsewhere.