Portland's Answer To Blur
Menomena release their debut UK album "Friend and Foe" on the 3rd September, bringing to us an array of indie, mellow, experimental tracks. The threesome use Flaming Lips and Field Music as influences, but the vocalist borders uncannily into Damon Albarn territory on more than one occasion, a clear comparison evident throughout. Fortunately for them I'm a huge Albarn fan and have found myself already backtracking my catalogue to add these guys previous American releases to my collection.
The former high school buddies, recently signed to City Slang records, on the back of their success at the South by Southwest festival, were originally a side project for band member Danny Seim's own solo project Lackthereof- a project I add that he still works on. Friend and Foe is the third release worldwide- at points a piece of subtle genius. Tracks "The Pelican", "Rotten Hell" and album opener "Muscle n'flo" are Blur-esque tracks, capturing the atmospheric approach Blur handled as a regular occurrence. The lyrical address and ambiguity works in the bands favour, as the image holds out very much on their quirky art work and experimental production. Comparisons to Arcade Fire- if only due to the anthem approach on a few tracks, is also apparent.
Menomena have this awesome ability to drag you in and expect you to follow the build up with them. It's almost like a football team urging you to be patient as they honest to God swear it will pay off. And Menomena have. With a less than catchy band title, the new indie kings have got a hell of a lot of work to do to stand out from the pack clipping their heels- their first UK release a good way to start. The opening of the album is perhaps more obvious and convincing on the first few listens in comparison to the second, which emphasizes the abstract angle the band try and capture, the half that eventually you will become infatuated by. "Air Aid" and "My My" are a couple of the albums highlights, but overall it's a brilliant package.
The band have a few UK dates lined up throughout the country and hope to capture the audience with their interesting, loopy live shows. The mechanism of the album has paid off- lets just hope that they haven't set themselves too much of a task for next time. Good work Portland's answer to Blur- I'm sold.