Mountains of Murray amalgamated in 1997. The 3 piece who's members include Denver Grenell (drums), Tim Ferguson (guitar, vox) and Harley Williams (bass, vox) plays a distinctive flavour of unorthodox rock consisting of ear-piercing guitar voodoo and a bowel moving rhythm section.
In 1999 M.O.M recorded their self funded debut E.P called "Vibrating Jelly Emerald Probe". Since then the band have written many songs, both instrumental and voxed and have played to many deafened local crowds. At present, the band is sleeping ...
REVIEW OF VIBRATING JELLY EMERALD PROBE
I am writing this in the middle of rdu's New Zealand music week and it seems strange. Here is an excellent band, with an exciting CD, and they're from New Zealand, but they don't sound like it.
This music has lttle to do with New Zealand lo-fi aesthetic, and is more interesting for it. MoM's closest contemporaries would probably be some of New Zealand's noise bands like HDU or Dimmer, but only for the creative approach they take to their instruments.
This is New Zealand music like you've never heard before. This is "rock" music but it goes far beyond that in its exploration of sound. The Mountains of Murray sound is probably most informed by Mike Patton's bands, Mr. Bungle and Faith No More (Jim Martin era), especially the CD's fifth song, Rocket Polisher. Patton's twisted genius and warped sense of humour have somehow found their way into this band.
The album is full of memorable hooks but the band will not allow it to be that easy for the listener. Strange timings and accents unsettle while quirky sounds intrigue. MoM are not afraid of instrumentals either, the album opens with Arabella and closes with Son of Daiyo.
Where Mountains of Murray succeed is in their instrumentation. Few rock bands can write enthralling, captivating instrumental music. That said, the songs with vocals are also excellent. One of the most innovative releases this year.
Lee Devenish
Canta Magazine
1999
.. CDBABY LINK for MOUNTAINS OF MURRAY: Vibrating Jelly Emerald Probe --
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