Menomena - Portland, OR experimental indie rock wonders who need to be in your life if they aren't already. As far as my current favorite band, I'd have to say Menomena takes the cake. They supply all the musical needs one could want. In my opinion they are the coolest band out there today. They're a wall of sound, full of crazy fresh beats, soul-yanking lyrics and the occasional saxophone. What makes Menomena stand out from other indie bands is their recording method. The band uses a computer program called the "Digital Looping Recorder", or Deeler for short, in the song writing process. It was programmed by band member Brent Knopf. Drummer Danny Seim explains the process, “First, we set the tempo of the click, which is played through a pair of head phones. We then take turns passing a single mic around the room. One of us will hold the mic in front of an instrument, while another one of us will lay down a short improvised riff over the click track. We usually start with the drums. Once the drums begin looping, we throw on some bass, piano, guitar, bells, sax, or whatever other sort of noise maker happens to be in the room. Deeler keeps the process democratic, which is the only way we can operate”.
"I Am The Fun Blame Monster!" is their first album released in 2003. The album art is brilliant, to say the least. It's elaborately packaged in an 80-page flip book that drummer Danny Seim designed and individually hand-assembled. The title "I Am The Fun Blame Monster!" is an anagram for "The First Menomena Album". What band does that? A cool band. That's who. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, nothing compares to a band's first album. This is my favorite Menomena album (though I adore the others). From the first beat in "Cough Coughing", you are hooked. And then Menomena do what they do best, sprinkle in some piano. Damn good piano I might add - not too much but definitely not too little. Everyone song from here on out is a winner. "Strongest Man In The World" was featured in the skater movie "Paranoid Park" (I have yet to see this movie, but sure as hell will now that I know Menomena is in the soundtrack). The last track "On The Monkey's Back" is my favorite from this album. I can't help but just sit back and let it play.
FRIEND AND FOE
"Friend and Foe" is Menomena's sophomore attempt released in 2007. The packaging once again is a site to see. It was designed by keyboardist Brent Knopf and features art work by graphic novelist/cartoonist Craig Thompson, consisting of die-cut shapes, decoder rings, and hidden messages. It was nominated for “Best Recording Package” at The Grammy Awards. The first track off the album "Muscle'n Flo" was the very first Menomena my ears had the pleasure of enjoying. What caught my attention was the drums, then I heard the piano. At around 1:45 into the song, the simple piano lick had me sold. Then the lyric "If Jesus could only wash my feet/Then I'd get up strong and muscle on". After that, I knew it was meant to be. Now, as far as albums consisting of an attention grabber first then kicking it up a notch go, I'd have to say this album portrays this concept to a tea. For most people, "The Pelican" is the first Menomena song they hear and rightfully so. The guitar. The freakin guitar. They just make the guitar ache in all the right spots. You cringe at the beat, but let it take you away. Every track is a treat, especially "Evil Bee". My friend Ryan just so happened to be in Portland in 2007 looking at the University of Oregon when he and his dad decided to see some live music. What did they stumble into? None other than Menomena's hometown CD Release show of this album. I try not be envious of situational discoveries like this, but it's just not fair. This video though will leave you in questions, as music videos should do.
MINES
The newest release from Menomena, "Mines" is a different approach for the band. There's a lot of new terrain being explored. "TAOS" epitomizes Menomena. It has everything in it that defines this band. The rest of the album contains some very arena-rockish vibes, but at times its almost a stab in the Animal Collective vein. I do enjoy this album. Some of these songs just ooze with sentiment and beauty, my favorite being Dirty Cartoons. I'm still getting used to the new sound. As long as Menomena continue to create complex layers of sound, I'm going to love it no matter what.
