Brian – I was looking forward to this album, too, but had no idea it would be as wonderful as it turned out to be – if it is your most anticipated record of the YEAR, you are gonna dig it so much!

Andrew – I couldn’t stop thinking about Friend and Foe (because of the shared brilliance, not the shared sound) when I was listening to this album, either, and it took a lot of discipline for me not to use it as a reference point in the review. I chose not to because I wanted to focus on Brent as an individual, not as a member of Menomena, but I agree with you on the merits of your point entirely. I also agree that rather than treat this as a fun side project, Knopf treated this as a serious artistic endeavor worthy of full attention on its own, and that love for the labor shows in spades throughout. One last thing – we have a lot (A LOT) to look forward to over the coming years from Brent Knopf.

Denise – As I said to Andrew, ditto on Friend and Foe. I think you are in for a treat when you get the full album, because it seems to me that some of the ones with the most underground, hidden beauty and splendor that you and I both love discovering after repeated listens are the ones that would never be released as singles.

Thanks all of you – check back in at the end of the month and let us know what you think once you’ve digested the album in full!

Justin
justin at citizendick.org

Like Andrew above me, I also fell into that obsessive listening pattern with Friend and Foe, because as you say, there’s always some hidden details in the songs that keep unveiling themselves after each listen. Whenever I listen to their songs as a group I see myself fall into this mesmerizing hypnotic awe. Such a rich attention to complicated details. Its true power lies in the simplicity in which they unfold.

That is something I’ve been getting from the songs that have been previewed from this album, especially Russia and I Say Fever. I won’t lie and say I didn’t expect it. When you have a band that reaches such levels of genius with a collaborative effort, it’s only right to have such an effect as individual.

Can’t wait to finally give this a proper listen. Your review is only making me even more anxious and excited. I honestly didn’t think that was even possible!

Your fixation on this album is not unlike the one I experienced with “Friend and Foe” which I hold to nearly(?) the highest esteem possible. I continue to unearth new levels of poignancy within it even after I thought I had worn it out completely which is quite a feat when you’ve spun it as many times as I have. This goes for their other albums as well. Knopf and the rest of the boys are truly gifted. Their work begs and in fact demands extended listening and is captivating in ways I have not experienced since a certain band beginning with R. Danny Seim’s work in recent years is extremely solid, brilliant even within it’s own context even if somewhat inconstant. But that’s not really fair given Danny’s approach to the project which is more of a personal outlet than anything intended for more widespread consumption. It seems he nearly goes out of his way to deny it’s existence. That being said I believe Knopf may have slapped his fellow band mate in the face with this effort, at least with respect to it’s wider appeal. Few works are both brilliant and “accessible” if that’s the appropriate term.

Menomena’s music works primarily because the compositions are so eclectically captivating but the lyrics carry a weight that is deceptively trite without in depth deconstruction which serves somewhat as a second honeymoon just as lavish as the first. Their music has usually been well received but I still believe it to be generally underrated due in part to the full complexity displayed. I believe it will very well.

Knopf’s lyrics in particular have taken metaphor to unimaginable levels where not only words but entire concepts take on multiple meanings which intermingle with each other. A world is crafted in which everything is at once basic yet infinity complex. We’re not to know the ultimate answer but to embrace every conceivable concept as potentially correct. If existentialism had a PR department Knopf would probably be it’s spokesperson but Harris and Seim would certainly be on the board of directors. Who would be it’s CEO? Who indeed.