Something Involving A Monkey - Dive Into The Great Blue Waffle

Something Involving A Monkey

Dive Into The Great Blue Waffle
self-released; 2015

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM 

By Jamie Funk

Something Involving A Monkey is a band that started in 2010. The original concept was they were going to play “ironic” music, which on paper seems vague but makes more sense when you listen to it. On their sophomore release Dive Into the Great Blue Waffle these guys have moments that are straight up comedic but let’s back up a bit. The band is often described as “Primus mashes with System of a Down” but as they have stated it does not completely characterize the group. In fact this bands sound is very hard to pin down.

The band is all over the place, which we will explore soon but what I love about this band is that they take the tropes of metal or hard rock and just throw it out the window. Most of the songs are connected by distorted guitars and some rocking out but go off in different directions after that.

Make no doubt about these guys are wizards in the technical department and are about as creative as you can get along the way. Just take a listen to the first song “It Was Dead When I Found It.” It’s a stellar opener that combines waves of distortion from guitars, drones and eastern modes. I knew I was in for an off-kilter, unique experience as the song washed over me. A little half way through demonic groans that sound like they are from the seventh level of hell come into the mix. 

“It Was Dead When I Found it” was a solid opener but “Cookin da Spleen” is just out of control wicked. There are really too many cool exceptional moments to mention but its onslaught of ingenuity from the panning vocals to the sludge metal riffs to the maddening last half of the song that is not to be missed.

When I listened to “Eye” I thought they sounded a bit reminiscent of Green Jelly. I was not that surprised when I read later on they played with the band. “Good Example of a Bad Day” is absolutely hilarious and also one of the most intense songs on the album. 

There is just a wee bit of irony with the name “Cute n Fluffy” which is a relentless onslaught of sound that will either make you curl up in the corner asking for mercy or have you bathing in it’s glory while simultaneously having you “Meowing” along. Don’t miss “Parannoyed” which I’m not even going to describe to you - just press play.

I can hardly do Dive Into the Great Blue Waffle justice. It’s refreshing to hear a heavier band not take itself so seriously and also do so in an original way that lesser bands will be jealous of. Dive Into the Great Blue Waffle is essential listening and although I've never seen them in concert I’m willing to bet they destroy live. 

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