On
Monitor Interference,
Monaural seem to have spent a good deal of time trying to escape the tag of "just another space-rock band from Detroit" -- the album mixes bits of dub, electronica, and jazz in a way that's been done quite a bit before, but could never really be called uninventive. "Dot" begins with an airy, nearly ambient mix into which a dubby pulse gradually emerges; other tracks approach Air's mellow grooves, and it's during these dubby moments that the album is at its best. Unfortunately,
Monaural doesn't seem to accomplish a whole lot beyond the general movement and spacy texture of the album; almost like an ambient record, there's enough there for a pleasant listen, but it's easy to be left wanting more.