2012.08.24 Pelican/Mono Split

Color: Black

Released: 2005, October 11

Label: Hydra Head / Temporary Residence Limited

Alright. Today begins a much needed vacation. Where to you ask? Chicago! I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and spent a proper amount of time living in that great city before migrating to the dirty south. So the next 12 or so entries will somehow be related to the Windy City - be it a band from Chicago, a record recorded in Chicago, a song about Chicago, etc. I think you get the point.

So first up is the split 12 inch featuring Pelican and Mono. Pelican being the Chicago connection here. This 12 inch is just a melting pot of good. Pelican. Mono. Temporary Residence. Hydra Head. Mono side is recorded by Steve Albini (another Chicago connection). I could probably just stop there. Those five things alone are enough to get on board with this. And the art appropriately reflects this momentous occasion. The huge mountain-scape and open sky reflect the expanse found in the music of both of these bands. Crushing and huge, beautiful and heavy. I really like how the mountainous imagery is turned into a flat vector graphic, which is then split up and used as an identifier of the sides of the vinyl (with the band’s respective label logo rising up out of a peak. Not enough for ya? The labels are printed on a metallic paper to give ‘em that extra pop.