FOUR STROKE BARON
Monoqueen
PROSTHETIC
Reno, Nevada prog heads get under the covers
When an album opens with a cover of an obscure Canadian screed against antisemitism - as in Red Rider’s 1981 single, Lunatic Fringe - then you know you’re in for an interesting time. Reno, Nevada’s Four Stroke Baron have made a modest name for themselves by blending the density of metal, the complexity of prog and the plastic bounce of new wave; Monoqueen adheres to this formula throughout. There are five other covers on this stopgap release, the most effective being their takes on Chvrches’ Lungs (oddly moving), Burning Skies by Tones On Tail (eerie), Mean Mr. Mustard by the Beatles (rollicking) and Why A Bitch Gotta Lie by Death Grips (thunderous). The four tracks of original material are more engrossing however, in particular the planetary rumble of Lowly Argonaut.