New Monsoon continues its worldbeat style of folk-rock 'n' roll with The Sound. The followup to Downstream, this album is the third release from this San Francisco band.

While they can easily fit in with bands like the Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard or the Atlanta Rhythm Section, New Monsoon is far from the typical southern rock band. What sets New Monsoon apart is the band's choice of instruments. Along with the usual faire found in a rock band of drums and guitars, New Monsoon adds various instruments from places like Brazil, India and Australia.

The Sound picks up where Downstream left off, bringing 11 more tunes that meld the old world and the new world musically. Monsoon is a term most commonly associated with a heavy rainstorm; New Monsoon creates a musical rainstorm making it sound as if a bluegrass banjo, a screaming guitar and a jazz piano belong together and always have.

by Sherrill Fulghum
Rambles.NET
18 November 2006

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