As good if not better than DREAMS TOP ROCK

And that's saying a lot in my book.

Sublime

I'm a big fan of Pluramon's previous effort DREAMS TOP ROCK, and THE MONSTROUS SURPLUS does not disappoint. This gorgeous symphony of voice and music (once again featuring Julee Cruise's vocals on several tracks) is edgy, cacophonous, and dreamy without overstaying its welcome, with melodies that haunt and linger in your head, begging for repeated listenings. THE MONSTROUS SURPLUS is definitely worth your download credits.

new moniker time

djfriendly

Schmickler alienates the fans of his '90s experimental records like the excellent "render bandits", but this is not without redemption. yes he now treads the path more taken, but I think pluramon succeed for the most part within the shoegaze, nugaze, or whatever bandwagon. there are some very nice tracks here, not all, but most. julee cruise's waifish lyrics sound unique compared to 100s of bilinda butcher soundalikes. the textures are lush but not saccharine. there's less of a me too feel than with, say, blonde redhead's 23. If you are looking for "render bandits" you will be disappointed, but m.s. risked being even more cliche and safe as an experimenter where he earned his rep. but is not so innovative, either. should have retired the pluramon moniker.

Poor

irq506

What I find so distressing about Pluramon now, is the apparent retroactive direction the music has taken since the first album and on through the progression of albums since. Pluramon has apparently sucked itself inwards and become pointedly immature in musical prowess. Innovation has given way to convention and generally the music sounds less interesting because it resides in the relative comfort of reliability.