Search - Menomena :: Mines

Menomena - Mines

Andrew Vice | Plano, TX | 07/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Menomena's particular method of songwriting is typically discussed in equal measure with the music itself in any review of a Menomena work. Essentially, they use some custom software to loop tracks while they improvise small pieces of music together until they edit together a full song. On previous releases, discussion of this technique was warranted because those albums sounded like they had been pieced together from tiny fragments, with all the unpredictability and excitement that this method implies. On Mines, the band sounds a little more traditional than their previous releases, though no less creative. Though Dealer was used to construct this album, it sounds like the product of more traditional writing and recording. Regardless of how the band put together the record, it's a strong collection of songs, showcasing the band's ability to shift gears frequently and efficiently within songs, with each one showing a number of styles and techniques fleshed out to create a meaningful work. Mines showcases some of Menomena's best songs, such as the pounding Queen Black Acid or the foreboding Tithe, both of which sound like a distillation of the songs Menomena has been working on since their debut in 2003. Less eccentric and random than its predecessors, Mines is a taut and efficient work, though it loses none of the creativity the band is known for. Another great album for 2010, and something old and new fans alike are sure to dig."

Tip the "Deeler"

Jeff Loudon | Nashville, TN | 07/28/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Formed in Portland, Oregon, Menomena consists of Justin Harris, Brent Knopf, and Danny Seim. Their first record, I Am the Fun Blame Monster!, was built using a looping software program called DLR or "Deeler," short for Digital Loop Recorder, as the cornerstone of the project. Deeler was created by Knopf, the band's keyboard player and guitarist. After a tempo is set, Deeler starts recording one of the members of the band in a loop. Once that track is set, the recording is then passed to the next player who records an additional part to the same track. This process continues until each member has contributed to the track and any extra desired instrumentation has been added.



Now, three albums later, Menomena is still using their trademark looping technique as the cornerstone of their creative process. Opening with "Queen Black Acid," a simple strumming of the guitar leads into a calm drum beat which paves the way for the vocals. Additional instruments including keys and sleigh bells are occasionally added into the mix as the song progresses, but the original guitar loop continues throughout the track. Although it might seem as though this could get boring quickly, the detailed layers Menomena uses to expand their original idea are more than enough to keep the listener interested.



There is no greater example of how Menomena's looping song structure can build into some of the most fascinating stratified tracks than "Tithe." A xylophone intro fades into the distance as a melancholy piano begins the true loop of the song. Suddenly, a distorted guitar gets pressed into the mix standing out like a sore thumb. This is only a sneak peak of what is to come, however, because the guitar layer is pulled away as quickly as it arrived in order to introduce the first verse of the song. As soon as the drums come in, the guitar makes its return in the same part of the loop, but suddenly feels much more in place with the rest of the instrumentation. This is a classic Menomena formula and the resulting mix is so cleverly constructed that no instrument is lost in the background.



Menomena's style is not for everyone. The lead single, "Five Little Rooms," provides an excellent introduction to the band's unique take on music, but listeners who find it compelling may still have a hard time grasping onto some of the less pop-oriented tracks like "Bote" or "Lunchmeat." That being said, Mines is an excellent introduction to Menomena's experimentation and after three years, fans of their previous work will find this release well worth the wait.



Similar Artists: Wolf Parade, TV On the Radio

Track Suggestion: "Five Little Rooms"

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