Japanese experimental group
Mono came together in 2000, choosing to forgo vocals and concentrate instead on atmospheric classical-inspired rock music. The foursome, bassist
Tamaki (the lone female in the group), drummer
Yasunori Takada, and guitarists
Takaakira "Taka" Goto and
Yoda, released their first full-length record,
Under the Pipal Tree, in 2001 on
John Zorn's Tzadik label. In 2003, after switching to Arena Rock Recording Company,
Mono issued
One Step More and You Die, a remix version of which came out the following year as
New York Soundtracks. That same year their fourth album, Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined, recorded in Chicago with producer
Steve Albini, was released on Temporary Residence.
Albini also performed the same duties on
Mono's April 2006 record,
You Are There, and in September the band issued
Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain, a mix between classical and rock that also collaborated with
World's End Girlfriend, among others. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide