Nominated for a Norwegian Grammy for their debut, Something Is Like Nothing Was,
Monopot returns with the expansive, hypnotic
Optipess. Bringing more electronica into their composing, the Norwegian trio still maintains a
Slint-like minimalism while sculpting an interiorly massive record much like
Mogwai's brilliant
Rock Action. "Aloft" -- with its distant vocals and meandering guitar -- seems to perfectly cross
Slint's
Spiderland and
Dave Pajo's more atmospheric work as
Papa M. The beats on "Erlingvik," though electronic, still sound organic, like something that
Múm might use. Perfect cover song of 2003? Well, the first contender should be
Monopot's haunting version of
Steve Harley & the Cockney Rebel's eerie "Sebastian." With "The Beginning," it's
Mercury Rev that comes to mind -- the song floats in, sparkling and bittersweet, like it just came down the mountain from some wilderness cabin where it was recorded. Likely to be overlooked by just about everyone,
Optipess comes hot on the heels of 2002's Nordic garage rock invasion and it deserves just as much attention.