Menomena

Sputnikmusic on Menomena

#29 Breakups are hard, but you wouldn’t know it from Menomena, who followed up a split with founding member Brent Knopf and another in a long line of critically acclaimed albums with Moms, which just might happen to be their best yet...full article here

TheOwlMag on Menomena

Menomena Moms [Barsuk, FILMguerrero]

After 2001’s Rose EP, Danny Seim, Justin Harris and formerly Brent Knopf of Menomena have entertained fans with layered, self-produced experimental indie for the past 11 years. Moms is the band’s most recent release following 2010’s Mines, and their first endeavor now that Knopf has left to dedicate himself full-time to his other band, Ramona Falls. Seim and Harris have bounced back from their loss to create a melodically hard hitting, mature sounding album indicative of where they are now, musically.

The only slight bummer about Moms are the lyrical trends of the songs. Disappointment, failure, love loss and a few more slightly emo themes are present throughout the album, contradicting its more happy beats. The line “I try. I guess my best is not enough” sang on track “Pique” is only one of the many discouraging lyrics present. “Heavy is as Heavy Does” offers something just as depressing, granted failure is its theme. Despite this Moms is worth the listen. Let the great basslines, slick keys and belting vocals distract you from the seriousness of some of the lyrics.

Amoeba Music on Menomena

Menomena, Moms (CD) During the last decade, Menomena has become its own reference point. From hooks wrapped around plummeting baritone saxophone lines and nearly inhuman rhythms to serpentine lyrical frameworks and high-concept album art, Menomena has established a singular and....more at amoeba.com

KCRW's Jason Bentley on Menomena

Played "Wet And Rusting" 09/23/2012 12:55 am

Pitchfork Best Albums on Menomena

Album "I Am the Fun Blame Monster" scored 8.7

Using self-designed software that allows them to improvise short ideas and use them as the building blocks for insidiously catchy pop songs, Portland-based indie rockers Menomena pack surprises tightl...

Pitchfork Best Albums on Menomena

Album "Friend and Foe" scored 8.5

Following through on the potential of their outstanding debut, I Am the Fun Blame Monster, Portland, Ore.-based Menomena create beautifully arranged modular pop out of improvised loops using custom so...