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Mew

I know this was released over a month ago, screw that. I'm just getting around to talking about it now because right now I actually have time to waste writing terrible music reviews that nobody will actually read.

The first thing I'd like to call to attention about this album is not exactly music related, but the album art is flipping adorable. Really. Well, actually, I liked the cover for the EP that came out before this better, but it's basically the same thing so it doesn't matter. It's cute, yeah.

So... I first got into Mew because I heard they were touring with NIN (lol, if only you knew how many times I've said something like that). The first song I heard was Introducing Place Players, which is probably still one of my favourite songs of theirs. The first thing that stood out to me was the really interesting polyrhythmic intro which includes a cool-ass guitar and drum part. This slowly progresses and erupts into one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear. It's fairly upbeat and happy, like most of the album. The vocals also impressed me on my first time hearing this, mostly because I have a thing for guys who sing like girls, but also because Jonas is GOOD at what he does (: BTW, this song has an awesome music video filled with cute snails and levitating rocks and other things that make me squeel in joy.

The album opens up with New Terrain, a short-ish song which actually played backwards. Like the song that it leads into, Introducing Palace Players, it's upbeat and has an intriguing sound and somewhat noisy sound (it annoys my mum, lol).

Beach and Repeaterbeater continue the cheery mood before the album transitions into a softer section with its first Intermezzo and Silas the Magic Car. I'm not sure how exactly to describe the latter, you'll have to listen to it yourself, but it's definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album. I even named my new iPod touch, Silas, after it :D It's light and atmospheric, and the vocals are really unmatchable.

Cartoons and Macrame Wounds is also rather indescribable. It flows between different moods, from quiet and gentle to louder and more powerful, but overall is just a magical song. It progressively gets more and more "intense" (for lack of better word...) farther into its 7 minutes, 19 seconds, but still ends on a quiet note.

The next section of the album includes more brilliant songs that will make you appreciate the instrumental talents of this band as much as their vocals. Hawaii and Vaccine are outstanding, unmissable songs, but not exactly something you'd listen to when you're in the mood for Joy Division ;)

However, as amazing as the album is this far in, it doesn't impress me as much to the end. Tricks of the Trade is interesting, but Sometimes Life Isn't Easy and the rest of the album just doesn't move me. The ending is no where near as powerful as Comforting Sounds is. <-- Ignore this. "Sometimes Life Isn't Easy" is awesome, and "Reprise" might be a soft ending, but it's very lovely.

I'm not really one to "rate" albums, but I guess I'd give this one 156/10 (hahaha...). It's much different from Frengers, the first album of theirs I got, and the one most people are probably familiar with. Less rock, more pop maybe? Jonas said "I think that we combine pop music with something that’s much more experimental, in our own way. I don’t think I would even try and describe it. It’s difficult,". Experimental pop? Sounds good. I already have enough problems with genres, not to mention trying to pick one to describe this band.

Well, that's that. If I ever have time I'd like to write about Portugal. the Man's "The Satanic Satanist" and Modwheelmood's "Pearls to Pigs". I haven't heard Porcupine Tree's new album yet, and I'm looking forward to the one Radiohead is apparently going to record this winter! And oh, I'd review DREAM THEATER'S SHITTY NEW ALBUM, but I think all you need to know is that it sucks >:0

[currently listening to: Reprise - Mew]

Posted by Anna at October 8, 2009 09:53 PM