Monday Morning
Fool’s Paradise
Selectric

When I was reading through the materials provided for Fool’s Paradise I was reminded of a conversation I had with Shaun Groves. In an interview with Groves, we talked about new bands having to work hard at establishing themselves if they wanted label attention. Monday Morning did just that by relentless, independent, touring and recording which eventually gained the attention of industry representative David Bach. Doors were opened for Monday Morning, and through Bach the group was signed to a sweet deal with a major label, but as quickly as the door was opened it was slammed shut. Through company downsizing and mergers the band found themselves without a deal. Discouraged for sure, but not out of the game, Monday Morning committed to becoming the best live band they could be – practice, practice, practice. Again, they found themselves at the table (this time in a local Subway) inking a deal through Bach, now working for a new label called Selectric.

Their national debut, Fool’s Paradise is also the first release for the Selectric imprint. The sound is labeled melodic rock and it is very guitar driven. “Sunshine,” the lead single, has a very progressive alternative rock sound while most of the remainder of the album follows the melodic rock styling. Song topics cover a multitude of daily issues like addictions (“Blind”), racial topics (“Can’t Go On”), and self doubt (“These Eyes”). Although the focus is on earthly problems, the lyrics counter with a positive attitude. As said by lead singer, Derek Stipe, “The overall theme is about problems, but they’re problems that can be overcome.”

Fool’s Paradise is a strong debut and the bands efforts have surely paid off. Their video for “Sunshine” is currently at number 3 on the Ten Most Wanted (http://tvulive.com/tmw.htm) and if there was ever a more critical audience to be found, I don’t know where it would be.

- Ken