2002's recording experience in Athens, Georgia was a spiritual pilgrimage of sorts. At some point in the 80's, Mark and Dan watched the Athens music scene documentary Athens, Georgia: Inside/Out and were inspired enough by bands like Pylon, REM, The Flat Duo Jets and the Barbecue Killers to buy guitars and conscript friends into being in bands. The whole point of the film was that you didn't really need to know how to play to start, and even succeed as, a band.

We have continued to not know how to play through 8 records now, and we're world famous. This year's record is informed by scientology, influenced by amoral friends, and splattered with crumhorn and synthesizer.

The clear vinyl EP exudes a joy for life while letting you see through to a flip-side of systemic despair. There is an attempt, here, however unsuccessful, to convey a tendency in human evolution toward transcendent transparency, or a higher almost-clarity.

Like Radiohead and Frank Sinatra, the Monkey Power Trio have broken out of the already-licked envelope of alternative rock to pick you up and give you a short ride toward your destination on the highway of life.