This series of linked articles is originally from Bad MonkeyX Issue One, January 2000. Since then, the band has reunited for two summer shows in Toronto and a couple shows in other lucky towns. Monte Forte seem to have stopped playing. And the band won a deserved Lifetime Achievement award at the CASBY's, which must have felt good.

Click the covers for reviews of each record.

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The Pursuit of Happiness

I was 19 when I first heard The Pursuit of Happiness for real. I had heard the single and seen the video for "I'm an Adult Now" in passing, but I had not paid attention. Visiting a friend's room on a transport ship that had docked in Sarnia, I was exposed to the entire Love Junk album, and I have been a relentless fan ever since. Biased as I am, I think I am good person to lead you through the records and point out pretty things to look at. I quote "Villa in Portugal" here as my reviewer's stance:

	I never sought perfection.
	I loved her for her flaws.

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First thing: TPOH are all geeetar. They never stop being a guitar band, and they know how to rock hard.

Second thing: Moe is a nerd at heart. So am I.

Third: After guitars, the most prominent musical feature is a fine duo of women backup vocalists, who change constantly through the band's career.

Fourth: All TPOH songs are about sex or anxiety. So am I.

Fifth: The songs are blasting and short.

Sixth: Moe's politics are great. He is a sensitive man who loves women but doesn't understand them, who wants to have lots of sex but never gets comfortable with it. He says what he means without self-consciousness, and so can get away with:

Seven: Brilliant lyrics about love

	If you shave your legs 
	I'll be faithful and true
	I'll forget all my friends 
	That take time from you
	I'll ignore the fact that you've broken my spirit
	That contempt in your voice,
	I'll pretend I don't hear it
		- Shave Your Legs, One Sided Story

sex

	Take me to your room 
	Where the flowers hang like bats
	Poison me with liquor 
	Then break out the party hats...
	Remind me again 
 	How lucky I am right now
	Laugh at my body
	But then turn off the lights and put out
		- Cigarette Dangles, The Downward Road

and getting old

	Some times my head hur,
	And sometimes my stomach hurts
	And I guess that it won't be long 
	Before I'm sitting in a room
	With a bunch of people
	Whose necks and backs are aching,
	Whose sight and hearings fading, 
	Who just can't seem to get it up
		- I'm an Adult Now, Love Junk

Eight: Their live shows are really fun: a bit messy sometimes, but they're loud and heavy, and famous among fans for rocking hard

Nine: Covers of great, surprising songs: "On and On and On," "Enter Sandman," "Don't It Make Ya Feel," "When Doves Cry," "Strutter."

Ten: This goes over so well in their shows that Toronto locals are lucky to be able to occasionally see Monte Forte at the Horseshoe - TPOH minus Kris Abbott, plus a singer named Roxy doing these covers all night. Moe Berg goes by clever nicknames like PC Colon and Vicky Sleaze. It's a great show.

Eleven: Moe Berg Rants. During the "I'm an Adult Now" chugging guitar break, he usually starts yelling about whatever's pissing him off: Alannah Myles, the YMCA, Californians wearing toques. He is good hearted about it, but he is bitter and full of bile. So am I.

 

Click the cover images to read about each record, including Moe's post-band solo album and the hits package, Sex and Food. But the quick breakdown is this: The odd-numbered albums are the best ones: Love Junk, Downward Road, and Wonderful World. Contradicting my opinion are many notable others: Where's the Bone is apparently Moe's favourite, and One Sided Story is the Rev's.

- jep

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TPOH Links

Incompletely Conspicuous.

This is really the only link you could need, when it comes to TPOH. A comprehensive library of the band, created and run by a very dedicated fan. A bonus for the curious: extensive sound files of concerts, CBC broadcasts, and demos for a final (and sadly unfinished) album.

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