Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined

Mono is one of the most creative post-rock groups of their generation. This 2004 Mono release avoids I-IV-V rock progressions and flashy guitar leads. You also won't hear any chunky bar chords here. Instead, this music is composed of melodic guitar parts, eerie sound effects, and slow, languid drumming.
The dirge-like "Lost Snow" best epitomizes this group's penchant for down-tempo grooves. On each track, Mono blends abstract harmonies with relaxed rhythms, intertwining single line guitar parts with flowing drum and bass patterns. This makes for an interesting and ever-evolving canvas of sound. Selections such as "Ode" and the haunting opening track, "16.12" best epitomize the gradual development of this music. Other pieces such as "2 Candles, 1 Wish" use simple repeating motifs, which eventually create a hypnotic effect on the listener. The most powerful track on WALKING CLOUD is "A Thousand Paper Cranes," a melancholic piece that centers itself on an evocative, repetitive, piano melody. A perfect closer, this tune lingers in the head long after the album has ended.