Mines is the long overdue return from Portland, Oregon's Menomena. It's been more than three years since their last release, the spectacular Friend and Foe. Menomena is an interesting breed of band. Their sound is not entirely that different than any other rock outfit, but there are layers deeper than we notice. Each of the three members sings song on each of their albums. They are fond of horn instruments. They are also known for creating a computer program (known as deeler) to help them make and record music.
Let's find out if Mines lives up to Menomena's sparkling reputation.
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Track 1: Queen Black Acid
first off: pretty cool song name. A very well thought out intro song as well. starts slow and works up into a semi frenzy. The only problem with this song is that it seems like it's going to explode into something miraculous at many points, but never really does. The closest we get is a piano riff. Good lyrical structure for the most part.
Verdict: 8/10
Track 2: Taos
There is some of the frenzy we were looking for. A bouncy song both musically and lyrically. Dealing with self confidence and how it effects the singers relationships (which is becoming a common theme in their songs). Also: Saxaphone! Certainly one of the better songs on the album.
Verdict: 10/10
Track 3: Killemall
After two songs from Justin Harris (the de-facto lead singer) we get our first song from Brent Knopf. He has always been the most, i don't know, emotional? depressed? member of the band. His songs are always more filled with despair than the rest of the lot. Their sound manages to mold itself to each member though, and this song is another example of that.
Verdict 9/10
Track 4: Dirty Cartoons
The first offering from drummer Danny Seim. His vocals always seem ghostly and foreboding. Also, last time I saw them live, he played drums in bare feet (I just thought that was interesting). This song is good, but lacks some of the lyricism as some of the songs so far.
Verdict: 7/10
Track 5: Tithe
Slow to start, but an interesting song once it gets into it. A song filled with apocalyptic, depressing imagery. Lulls for the majority of the song. Ends up feeling like something is missing.
Verdict 6/10
Track 6: Bote
One of the more interesting songs musically on the album. A good dose of both piano and saxaphone. Not my favorite song lyrically, but not bad either. Pretty much one long metaphor comparing a persons psyche to a boat.
Verdict: 8/10
Track 7: Lunchmeat
I'm down on Danny Seim songs this album. The weakest song lyrically at this moment in the album. Interesting guitar work, but it doesn't do enough to save this song.
Verdict: 5/10
Track 8: Oh Pretty Boy, You're Such a Big Boy
Plodding but never necessarily boring. More sax. very reminiscent of their first album, I Am The Fun Blame Monster (Fact: the album name is an anagram for The First Menomena Album). Weird sounds abound. Did I mention the saxaphone? A fun, out there, track.
Verdict 9/10
Track 9: Five Little Rooms
A better showing from Danny this time. Strange, but also creative, lyrically. Runs on piano and saxophone. You can really hear the influence from dealer(the program they created) in this song. Very noticeable usage of looping.
Verdict: 8/10
Track 10: Sleeping Beauty
Different. It doesn't really sound like anything they have made up to this point. I can't decide if that is a bad or good thing. Decision: bad thing.
Verdict 6/10
Track 11: Intil
Much like the opening track, this is a very fitting closing track. Very subdued and soft. Brent is getting his emo on again. I'll give it a good score just for fitting into what I think a closing track should sound like.
Verdict 8/10
Cohesiveness Score: 8/10
Album flows relatively well. A very clear opening and ending track.
Final Score: 7.7/10
Final Thoughts: Good at points, but also surprisingly weak at points. Certainly not Menomenas best work, but still a good album none the less.
*One Last Thing:
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