One Sunday afternoon a long, long time ago, I was so tremendously bored that I actually threw a label's sampler CD into my stereo... you know you're desperate for any type of stimulation when you start listening to label sampler CDs. As the disc played... and played... and I seriously started to contemplate clawing out my retinas, a song came on that immediately transfixed me. I put down my scalpel and paid attention.

Playing was this instrumental wonderment that spliced the horrors of 9/11 with amazing post-math-punk guitar driven riffs and anger, lots and lots of anger. I immediately sought out the jewel case and discovered the song was called "The Sharpshooter" and the band was called From Monument to Masses. Where the hell did these guys come from? (Answer: California) The next morning I ran out (ok, walked briskly) and bought their album, and was surprised to learn that ALL their tracks were just as transfixing.

Four years later and I'm still amazed that their debut, The Impossible Leap in 100 Simple Steps, wasn't universally lauded as the Album of 2003. Why don't more people know about this band? I have no idea, but if Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, and Pelican can be huge, so should these guys.

FMTM did play CMJ shortly after the release of that first album. I was gearing up all week to go, and then the night of the show, I just didn't. Strange circumstances occured and several regrets were had. Here's to second (and third) chances.

These two shows are going to be great ones. Someone get me a tourniquet, because I'm gushing.

From Monument to Masses plays Safari's Sams (with Don Caballero!), on Wednesday, November 28th, and The Glass House, on Friday, November 30th.