Monsters of Folk

The hilariously named Monsters of Folk consists of indie-rock
superstars M. Ward, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst and
Mike Mogis (both from Bright Eyes). Many have already compared MoF to
the Traveling Wilburys, and it’s appropriate since both bands are
folk-rock supergroups, but a more notable point is that the Monsters,
like the Wilburys, are artists who may be pushing past their peak.
However, Monsters of Folk is pretty damn good. Like Wilco’s last
record, the playing is reassuringly familiar, but vital. Nothing here
amazes (except maybe the trip-hop-tinged “Dear God”), but the
camaraderie on tracks such as “Temazcal” and “Losin’ Yo Head” is so
infectious it’s hard to regard Monsters of Folk as anything but a
success.