Patience is indeed a virtue, and Japan-based Mono is one virtuous, if otherwise totally badass, band. Some claim they’re among the best post-rock bands performing these days, and some may be right. But Mono proffers a special breed of post-rock — one that differs greatly from the hallmarks of the genre (Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Slint, etc.). There’s an overall orchestral vibe throughout most of the band’s stuff. Often enough, that’s quite literal: 2009's Hymn to the Immortal Wind features a 28-piece orchestra. The result is frequently beautiful, though one music critic used the word “suffocating” (in a positive light) to describe some of Mono’s music. We’d largely agree with that, but it’s worth noting that suffocation in beauty has its disadvantages too (like, uh, outright suffocation). Watch out for that and enjoy. (Eric Sandy)