Author Archives: denizen

Menomena – Friend and Foe

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This album was nominated for a Grammy, and it didn’t even have anything to do with the music. It was nominated for “Best Recording Package” in 2007, most likely because, “The cover art is designed by Craig Thompson, writer and illustrator of the award-winning graphic novel Blankets.”

I think that pretty much sums these magnificent dudes up. They got nominated for a Grammy that had absolutely nothing to do with the music they put out.

Brent Knopf left the band at the beginning of 2011 to focus on Ramona Falls.
/bummer

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Look Mexico – Real Americans Spear It

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Five songs clock in under fifteen minutes.  Real Americans Spear It is the most recent release from Look Mexico, and yes it is fresh.  These guys formed the better part of a decade ago, and while they have seen quite a few members come and go, the current line-up sounds like they’ve been playing music together for the better part of two decades.

This entire thing is just a pleasure for your ears (in particular, the brass in the latter part of the opener).  As a whole they have a knack for keeping pace with one another, keeping things sounding as tight as possible without sounding tired.  Four EPs and two full-lengths is a solid amount of material in their seven year bandspan, but if this EP is any indication, expect more good things from these guys.

No slop, all style.

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This Town Needs Guns – Adventure, Stamina & Anger

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This is a very short release, two tracks in total.  The first is the title track, clocking at nearly five minutes, it has room to meander without losing direction.  The band has an ability to play with time signatures and pull off melodies and rhythm’s that, while complex, are catchy and easy to groove with.  These Englishmen have always had a vibrant and lively sound.  Even as some lyrics lean towards a more sincere introspection and reflection, they’re delivered with energy and finesse.

There is one bittersweet reality that has to be swallowed with this release.  These are the last recordings to have Stuart Smith on Vocals.  If this is your first exposure to this band, you’ll need to check out some older material if you’d like to hear more.  I’d recommend their self-titled (a compilation of older EP/split/otherwise unreleased material) before their full-length, Animals.

This band’s got soul.

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