For My Parents

"For My Parents is the new album by MONO, the Japanese quartet who – over the course of half a dozen albums in twice as many years – has followed their own muse, and in the process have become "one of the most distinctive bands of the 21st century." They are an instrumental rock band whose melodies have grown increasingly lyrical, with increasingly transcendent execution. There is no doubting a MONO song when you hear it, and no denying their uncanny ability to feel perfectly at home in both pristine symphony halls and dirty rock clubs. In the way that only MONO can, For My Parents obliterates that divide, showcasing a sensitivity and maturity that simultaneously acknowledges where they came from, and where they're going. The songwriting is sharper, the dynamics are subtler, and the production is stunning. For the recording, the band once again enlisted The Wordless Music Orchestra for support, and the collaboration has never sounded stronger. The unique combination of soul-stirring melodies, cinematic East-meets-West arrangements, and firm command of elusive emotional intangibles is what makes MONO so…well, so MONO."

From their Facebook:
"Just try to think less, and feel more. There is a variety of noise music out there and each kind generates different waves of energy. These waves of energy have the power to make people feel joy, sadness, anger, or celebration. We want to create the sound of joy, the noise of reaching through darkness and finding joy at its center. Thanks!"

Takaakira 'Taka' Goto: Guitar
Tamaki Kunishi: Bass, Piano, Glockenspiel
Yoda: Guitar
Yasunori Takada: Drums, Glockenspiel, Timpani, Tubular Bell, Gong

The Holy Ground Orchestra
Jeff Milarsky: Conductor
Yuki Numata, Courtney Orlando, Emily Ondracek, Paati Kilroy: Violin1
Conrad Harris, Ben Russell, Caroline Shaw, Amanda Lo: Violin 2
Caleb Burhans, Nadia Sirota, Erin Wright, Jeanann Dara: Viola
Clarice Jensen, Brian Snow: Cello 1
Caitlin Sullivan, Laura Metcalf: Cello 2
Logan Coale: Bass
Shayna Dunkelman: Timpani
Yuri Yamashita: Cymbals