Menomena
It was the first night of two shows at The Great American Music Hall in support of the Portland, OR group Menomena’s latest album, Mines. They spent a good deal of their hour-plus long set exploring the complexity and unpredictability that populate the record and what made them a unique force in the 2010 indie music scene.
Tu Fawning
Tu Fawning
Tu Fawning
First up was fellow Portland avant-grade act, Tu Fawning. They come off nearly undefinable at times with dabs of hauntingly delicate song structures which would be familiar to anyone aware of Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil. Featuring members of 31Knots and Corrina Repp, Tu Fawning created a hybrid and almost tribally basic version of the two acts into a well put-together ensemble. Playing mostly tracks off their upcoming album, Hearts on Hold, the band seemed to grab the attention of an already open-minded crowd. It was quite a treat to have these guys ease the audience into the night.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[mp3] Tu Fawning – Multiply A House from Hearts On Hold (2010)
Suckers
Suckers
Suckers
Next up was the confusingly underrated Suckers. Well, maybe not too confusing considering I didn’t understand their appeal when I caught them at this year’s SXSW festival. It was not until that night when I felt like this was a band that might need more attention. Based on their performance, the band is a quirky and experimental act that emits a joyous sound that is moderately accessible. With songs like the heavy building It Gets Your Body Movin’ to the parading Save Your Love For Me, Suckers make for a worthy band to keep an eye on. Particularly due to their somewhat goofy stage presence and playful style.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[mp3] Suckers – It Gets Your Body Movin’ from Wild Smile (2010)
Menomena
Menomena
Menomena
Menomena
I’ll admit that it took me a while to understand why people enjoyed Menomena’s oddball and random song structures. It wasn’t until listening to their latest album, Mines, where I finally understood the genius of Menomena. Justin Harris, Brent Knopf, and Danny Seim all teamed up to attack the audience with tracks all across their catalogue of albums, providing no-filler instrumentation and carefully constructed songwriting. Each member steps up to perform vocal duties (with Brent Knopf being my current favorite) with the same amount of passionate energy as the next. It’s clear that Menomena is easier to follow with songs like TAOS and BOTE but for people like me that love Ramona Falls (Brent Knopf’s side project), songs like Five Little Rooms and Killemall were my highlights. Mainly because they had that heavy and confusing instrumentation that I know so well. Menomena might not be for everyone, but for the fans at the sold out show that night, it was a rewarding performance.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[mp3] Menomena – Taos from Mines (2010)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[mp3] Menomena – Wet and Rusting from Friend & Foe (2007)