Meaningful Songs: Menomena - The Monkey's Back

Menomena - The Monkey's Back

While this hardly is the Menomena song I've listened to the most nor the catchiest (see Wet and Rusting) this is probably the most progressive or epic track they ever made.

Absolutely love the almost vintage synth tone Brent Knopf uses that is incredibly haunting.

The dense power chords come in and then settle down to what sounds likes many layers of hammond organs create this great atmosphere.


So I fed him poison grapes
He spit the seeds into my face
And he escapes
To germinate

Weave and till my skin
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Pull the weeds from my chin
We begin

On the monkey's back
On the monkey's back

Ramona Falls - Coils (2016-2017)

http://ramonafalls.com/




Preorder for either Translucent Red and Clear vinyl for Coils, this 3rd album from Ramona Falls, Brent Knopf's band. Brent, formerly of Menomena, released 2 previous albums from Ramona Falls, which I really love.

Coils (Limited Edition LP) - Clear disc. Pre-Sale

 $20.00 or more

Coils - the third Ramona Falls album, as a limited-edition full-length LP. Disc color available in either translucent red or clear. Pre-sale. Anticipated ship date of July 10th. You'll also receive a link to a digital download of the album once it's released.

Coils - the third Ramona Falls album, as a limited-edition full-length LP. Disc color available in either translucent red or clear. Pre-sale. Anticipated ship date of July 10th. You'll also receive a link to a digital download of the album once it's released.

The email list received a download link to the 1st song/single "Prayers" which is quite good. At 1st sounds a bit odd vocally, almost spoken, but it transitions really well. Very orchestral and layered.

The email also included a cool animated series of images for the song, which shows someone going down an escalator, undesirably, lol. Not unlike Ramona and Brent's previous art.

July 10th it says there is the "anticipated" shipment date, so it hopefully should be released in early July. I'll try and edit/bump the track list and more comments then.

Small Leaks Sink Ships - Antipode [1B] (2017)

New single "Dancing Devil" Side 1 for Small Leaks Sink Ships 1st ever Vinyl. A 7" single with "Cross Chatter" being the track on side 2..

Official release date is June 2, 2017

Liking it, and the story below of course name drops Menomena and Wolf Parade (2 bands I enjoy) which doesn't surprise me.

Of course I'm expecting this to the 1st of more coming as I know the band has a record coming relatively soon. But in the mean time, I am happy to check this out and pick this 1 up on Vinyl.



1. Dancing Devil
2. Cross Chatter


story per consequence of sound

Small Leaks Sink Ships - Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals (2014-2015)

3/11/15 2:04PM

New video review. I would like to go more in-depth with this, and I very well may, or at least may in here.

I guess it's of course a time thing, but i at least will try and transcribe the details and quotes from my notes into here just to offer up at least a bit more semblance of a review and specifics.

Love-this-record. We'll see if all the great stuff to look forward to from now until Halloween can measure-up, but no matter, this record is one that I can foresee standing the test of time, as it seems to be that good. But of course, truly, only time will tell us.



2/21/15 5:43PM

They finally put it up for sale on their bandcamp today! And the EMBED is just below this of course. It's coming out on CD and digital formats; although don't be surprised if a Vinyl pressing happens at some point.

edit: Twitter post mentions an upcoming Kickstarter for the Vinyl

But, it's been 1 month to the day since I posted this and honestly, this record has become my clear favorite record this season, and I gave in as I keep enjoying it so damn much, I put it up to 5-stars.

A review/Video Review should be coming soon (not only for this, but a few others in fact). But for now, I can say this very much reminds me of one of those records that comes out of nowhere to become an all-time favorite of mine. I am rather in awe and still addicted to it, and very happy it is finally being released.

My failure I suppose is not spending more time with their other releases which I plan to rather soon.




1/21/15 5:40AM
This is just an initial post about this record, I stumbled upon the other day and checked out and was pretty floored by actually. A top album of the Season contender? I might not want to go that far at this point; but I did really enjoy this record, which to be honest, I cannot find much if any concrete info about the release date, etc.., I only found just the obvious blogs and other sites with vague info that has the artwork and /tracklist.

The only specific thing is the single "Yellow Bird" below which is embedded per their bandcamp page, and the trailer for this record posted on YouTube (and Vimeo) back in October.

In the interest of time of course, I will just say, I heard about this band maybe even around the time of their debut LP in 2007, or maybe a year or 2 after. I recall they were from Arizona, and I think where I saw their name was one of the annual Alternative Press "100 Bands You Need to Know" issues. Come to think of it, I think it was either 2009 or 2010.

Anyway, I recall not thinking they were bad, but not exactly a band I heard tons of potential with.

But with this new record of theirs, some 4 or 5 years after my initial impressions, I think I may have been won over a lot more. I love the use of piano throughout this whole record.

Is it kind of low-fi? I suppose, but that adds to its charm in a lot of ways. Is it prog? yeah, I guess, and Post Rock, math rock, psych, dreamy among many other sections. I hear bands like Murder By Death and early Menomena among others. Great atmosphere and nice use of strings at points.

Either in here or in hopefully the upcoming Season preview (or midseason review, which should come in April) I'll include more. But right now, I can already say this is 1 of the 5 best records I've heard thus far in 2014-2015.

edit: I really should update this anyway, just at the point when the details of a release date and things is finally given, I imagine on their bandcamp page, etc...as I can definitely see myself purchasing a hardcopy of this record if/when one becomes available.


http://www.smallleaks.com/
Facebook
https://twitter.com/smallleaks

01 Power Outage
02 Midnight Jin
03 Yellow Bird
04 Orchis
05 Snowball Fight Attack Formation
06 We All Die
07 Building Blocks
08 The Devil Is In The Desert
09 Iceberg
10 The Mind Is Its Own Place

Significant Albums: Menomena - I Am the Fun Blame Monster! (2003)

I've been sitting on this blurb for a few days and I need to finally just do it.

I was introduced to Menomena in 2007 I recall when their new record Friend and Foe was buzzing a bit and suggested on the dredg fans forum. I remember liking some of what I heard but struggling with them them at the same time. They had a very quirky style of rock music, that didn't grab me right away. But I think part of that was because I hadn't heard this record.

Once I heard this debut album of theirs, I Am the Fun Blame Monster!, I became more won over. For one thing, I absolutely loved their use of piano. So much so, I came to be reminded of all bands, Genesis. Brent Knopf reminded me a lot of Tony Banks, in placing these subtle, intricate little piano phrases into these quirky songs, that somehow gave me goosebumps and at times just became the parts of those songs I looked forward to the most.

So, over time with both this record and Friend and Foe, I came to realize how great this record was. It flows amazingly. The dynamics, use of percussion, production, textures like Mellotron if I recall, and other parts totally stood out. Another big part was how they used saxophone.

Sax is not a commonly used instrument in rock. Here and there, namely with Bruce Springsteen and even King Crimson at times (or Jethro Tull some may recall). King Crimson in particular, I came to hear as an influence with Menomena. I'm not certain how much exactly, but from memory when I spoke to both Justin Harris and Danny Seim at some of the shows I saw them in the past few years, I seem to recall asking them about Crimson and them saying they were fans.

Specifics with this record, and like many of these records that are so significant, I find this is another album that works best all at once. Or is greater than the sum of its parts so-to-speak. But songs like "Rose," and "The Late Great Libido," "Cough Coughing," "Strongest Man in the World," "E is Stable," and maybe my favorite track, the nearly 9 minute closing piece "The Monkey's Back" which features Brent Knopf's vocals, driving guitar riffs and what sounds like a combination of an organ and especially wonderful, mellotron patch.

But I wouldn't throw away a second of this album. It is a very complete work, even down to the title, which is an anagram for "The First Menomena Album" to the extensive packaging, which as you flip through the 80-page booklet, it can be flipped-through like a cartoon almost, with the artwork. Some have been given the impression of how young they were, with song titles and their silly, quirky style. But I honestly find it to be unique and a big part of their and this album's charm.

There really isn't another band who sounds like them, nor this album. The at times not-taking-themselves-too-seriously, to at times sounding incredibly emotional and deep/serious and almost sad, comes across throughout this record. It's definitely an album that if it connects with you, it may surprise you. In that you listen to it, and after wards are a surprised how much it can stay with you. And not just on a musical level, but sort of a mood/message/emotional thought-provoking way. Kind of like, what the hell did I just listen to? and wow, I feel like I just woke up from a dream or finished a best selling children's story; like Where the Wild Things Are or Peter Pan or something.

Menomena's 1st album clearly was the culmination of many years of refining song ideas from all 3 members (including lead vocals from all 3, in sort of a Beatles-kind of way. The member who sings lead vocals, I've kind of believed was the main songwriter from said song. And each member has a pretty distinct voice, so it's not hard to distinguish). However, on this debut record of theirs, they showed how they were a 3-headed monster of rather skilled songwriters, and especially on this 1st album, many of their best ideas came and worked together extremely well.

I revisit this record every so often, and every time I think I have finally heard them do something better, albeit the present Menomena, Brent Knopf's now full-time band Ramona Falls, or any of their other work, I keep being denied, in that this was a special record that just happened to be made as their 1st work. And it certainly stands up as many years later, and remains one of my favorite albums of the 2000's as well as all-time.

Foals: Winter/Spring Tour 2013 (with Surfer Blood)

http://www.foals.co.uk/live.htm

02-11 London, England - Rough Trade East
02-28 Dublin, Ireland - The Academy
03-01 Dublin, Ireland - The Academy
03-02 Manchester, England - Manchester Academy
03-04 Liverpool, England - O2 Academy
03-05 Glasgow, England - Barrowland
03-06 Birmingham, England - HMV Institute
03-08 Norwich, England - UEA
03-09 Leeds, England - Leeds Metropolitan University
03-11 Bristol, England - O2 Academy
03-12 Nottingham, England - Rock City
03-13 Portsmouth, England - Pyramid Centre
03-15 Brussels, Belgium - AB
03-16 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
03-18 Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
03-19 Berlin, Germany - Astra
03-20 Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
03-22 Zurich, Switzerland - M4 Music Festival
03-23 Villeurbanne, France - Transbordeur
03-25 Paris, France - Olympia
03-26 Lille, France - Aeronef
03-28 London, England - Royal Albert Hall (two shows) +
04-10 Reno, NV - Knitting Factory #
04-11 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore #
04-12 Indio, CA - Coachella
04-13 Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues #
04-18 Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre #
04-19 Indio, CA - Coachella
04-20 Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
04-22 Mexico City, Mexico - El Plaza Condesa
04-25 Houston, TX - Fitzgeralds ^*
04-26 Dallas, TX - House of Blues ^*
04-27 Austin, TX - Emo's ^*
04-28 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues ^*
04-30 Atlanta, GA - Goat Farm ^*
05-01 Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre ^*
05-03 New York, NY - Terminal 5 ^*
05-04 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory ^*
05-05 Washington, DC - 930 Club ^*
05-06 Albany, NY - Upstate Concert Hall ^*
05-08 Providence, RI - The Met ^*
05-09 Boston, MA - House of Blues ^*
05-10 Montreal, Quebec - Club Soda ^*
05-11 Toronto, Ontario - Koolhaus ^*
05-13 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues ^*
05-14 Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts ^*
05-15 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall ^*
05-17 Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe ^*
05-18 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre ^*
05-19 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall ^*
05-20 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^*
05-29 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom ^*
05-30 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore ^*
05-31 Seattle, WA - Neptune ^*
06-03 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot ^*
06-04 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre *
06-05 Lawrence, KS - Granada ^*
06-07 St. Louis, MO - Pageant ^*
06-09 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls ^*
06-11 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head ^*
06-12 Asheville, NC - Orange Peel ^*

+ with Efterklang
# with The Neighbourhood
^ with Surfer Blood
* with Blondfire

I nearly saw Foals at the 7th Street Entry back in 2010. There's at least 1 long blog about it, and the fact it was the same evening Menomena was headlining at The Varsity Theater and Janelle Monae was opening for of Montreal in the Mainroom.

I bought a ticket, but had to eat it as the timing didn't work out to see both them and Menomena (with Brent Knopf by the way). I think/hope I made the right choice, even though I have only grown to enjoy Foals more and more, and Total Life Forever since. But, Brent isn't with Menomena anymore, and he may never play with them again. And Janelle, the show was sold out anyway. But I do mean to see her live at some point.

Anyway, Surfer Blood is 1 of the openers, 1 of the 2 acts they played music from at the 89.3 Music Meeting I didn't hate. 

This is another Spring show that adds to maybe the most insanely busy Spring concert schedule I've ever faced. But in fairness, many of the shows are for artists that are sort of Bucket List-acts, and I also wonder how many if any chances I'll have to see again.

Foals - Holy Fire (2013)

2/8/13 6:00PM
I'm enjoying this album over the last few days. The 2 standout tracks being ""Milk and Black Spiders" and "Providence"..great classic Foals builds/crescendos.

More to add, although only if I find the time. It'll be in the mix for the 2013 Countdown, but I'm skeptical if I will enjoy as much as their other 2 LPs.

12/15/12 12:30AM

New song "My Number" which compared to "Inhaler" sounds more like their traditional sound, which is fine, but I'm not as intrigued by. I kind of felt the same way about "This Orient" which I find works okay on the record, but as a single, is one of if not the worst songs on Total Life Forever. But anyway, this is still worth passing along of course.



11/7/12 2:04AM

Video for the new single "Inhaler." Pretty sweet groove. Also pretty heavy for them, which I'm not so surprised by actually.

10/29/12 9:25AM



This upcoming record drops on February 11th, 2013

http://www.facebook.com/Foalsforever/posts/10151109677538531

Hiiiiii

We revealed to you last week a name…and the name was ‘Holy Fire’. Now we have some more things to tell you.

‘Holy Fire’ will land on British shores on Feb 11th 2013.

You’ll be able to pre-order a copy of the album (case you forget) on iTunes from Nov 5th, upon which time you’ll get ‘Inhaler’ straight away.

A final announcement for our Australian contingent…we’ll be performing a one-off club show at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney on Wed Jan 23. Tickets go on sale on Oct 30 at 9am from http://www.moshtix.com.au/ & 1300 438 849. See you there.

More news coming soon.

Foals
x

 Both of their full length records are excellent, so I can't help but be giddy about hearing this thing early next year. And hopefully if/when they play in Minnesota on tour, the show won't have Menomena or Janelle Monae conflict.

 

Menomena - "Toomer" (MOMS B-side)

Not sure on the story on it, but the reaction online is pretty positive. I'll know later, as I need to head out to work right now.

Ramona Falls touring with The Helio Sequence November 2012

Very cool double bill. The Helio Sequence are a band I've always liked, but never got blown away by in the studio. However, the 1 time I saw them at 1st Ave I think the Fall of 2007, it was only 2 guys, 1 Singer (and guitarist?) and a drummer/keyboardist (I think he may have *sequenced* a lot of the keys live). But this show I saw them, they opened for Minus the Bear (1 of 2 times I saw MtB get outstaged by their opening act).

At any case, THS are a band I definitely am up for seeing live again, and of course I love Ramona Falls. The Helio Sequence have a new record called Negotiations coming out on September 11. And of course RF's just released a great new record Prophet.

And this show is on Thursday November 8th at The Turf Club, which has become 1 of my 1st choices in venues for various reasons:

-in St.Paul/close
-Parking is free and convenient
-it's not Hipster really

I also just realized I own a Split 7" vinyl from The Helio Sequence/Menomena . Both acts are from the Pacific Northwest anyway, so this tour isn't incredibly surprising.

Facebook post from Ranmona Falls

I'm so excited to announce :
RAMONA FALLS on TOUR in NOVEMBER
(we open for The Helio Sequence (Official) )

2 November @ Dan's Silverleaf in DENTON, TX All Ages
5 November @ University of Oklahoma in NORMAN, OK (free)
6 November @ Mojo's in COLUMBIA, MO All Ages
7 November @ The Mill in IOWA CITY, IA
8 November @ Turf Club in ST. PAUL, MN 21+
9 November @ Shank Hall in MILWAUKEE, WI 21+
10 November @ Lincoln Hall in CHICAGO, IL 18+
12 November Horseshoe Tavern TORONTO, ON 19+
13 November il motore in MONTREAL, QC 18+
14 November @ Brighton Music Hall in BOSTON, MA 18+
15 November @ Bowery Ballroom in NEW YORK, NY 18+
16 November @ Black Cat in WASHINGTON, DC All Ages
17 November @ Underground Arts in PHILADELPHIA, PA

Mark your calendars! Hope to see you at a show!!!

Ramona Falls - Fingerhold [Video]

Great tune, and this video is compelling and sad. A tragic love story of sorts, torn apart by the death of one, and her partner desiring to want to be with her again.

I suppose this was hardly what came to mind in listening to this song over the last few months, yet, the video/story does fit in a lot of ways.

Miracles of Modern Science - Pretty Ballerina (The Left Banke cover)

I know this tune, and in fact, they are probably not the 1st band to cover it, that I've heard before. It's pretty faithful to the original, save for the little sped-up outro. Still, cool to check out from 1 of the better new bands I've discovered in 2012 thus far.

Now, given the new Menomena album is titled "Moms" I wonder if these guys are aware of this fact, and if they might want to go out on tour together. Maybe Miracles of Modern Science could play this live? All wishful thinking of course from myself in my closed little world and mind :p

Ramona Falls - Prophet (2012)

4/23/12 11:55AM
whole thing can be streamed here

4/19/12 4:26PM
another new song "Brevony" can be downloaded by going to this link on their homepage

the beginning almost sounds like DJ Shadow, and the fuzz guitar, beyond reminding me in many ways of Brent's Menomena fuzzy guitar parts, almost sounds like a Deadwing-era Porcupine Tree style.

This album keeps sounding even better, with each new track.

4/9/12 5:58PM

Just pre-ordered the CD. I want the Vinyl, but I am figuring it'll be worth purchasing at the show in June. But damn, that video of the artwork holds a lot of intrigue. It reminds me of Friend or Foe a bit, with its puzzle-like style. Or even like a Zeppelin Physical Graffiti or III style to it.

Very cool.

Also this 2nd shared/downloadable tune "Sqworm" is working well. I think it's clear Brent's straying from the Intuit and Menomena sound enough to not be accused of repeating himself. Some of it almost sounds industrial in a way, a little bit like the last Pure Reason Revolution album.

All the different options for Pre-ordering there sound neat, but a little too much $ for me. But if this record ends up being my record of the year, I might wonder why I didn't order one of the most extensive pre-order packages. Although the $5 shipping for a $12 compact disc still does make me scratch my head as to how shipping a cd from the US (presumably) would amount to almost half the cost of the item.

But so be it.

http://ramonafalls.com/

3/9/12 7:06PM

story

Track list Updated, tour dates including Minneapolis on June 5th (The 7th Entry, again *rolls eyes*)

Ramona Falls -- 2012 Tour Dates
SXSW Schedule
Wednesday, March 14th PDX Showcase @ The Grackle (1700 E 6th Street) - 9:30pm
Thursday, March 15th Barsuk Showcase @ Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River St) - 9:15pm
Friday, March 16th Noise Pop Showcase @ Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River St) - 3:45pm
Saturday, March 17th Baeble Showcase @ Peckerheads (402 E6th St) - 6:00pm

Spring North American Tour Dates
05/08 - San Diego, Ca - Casbah
05/10 - Los Angelese, CA - Echo
05/11 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord
05/12 - Davis, CA - Sophia's Thai Kitchen
05/17 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
05/18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
06/05 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
06/06 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
06/08 - Toronto, ON - Drake Hotel
06/09 - Montreal, QB - Petit Campus
06/12 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
06/12 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands
06/14 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
06/15 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
06/16 - Washington, DC - Red Palace



Facebook announcement

Yes baby! Intuit was awesome, perhaps this will go even further.

With love from our chocolate hearts : announcing new album "Prophet" out May Day. Premiere of 1st single "Spore" : http://p4k.in/wIebGH ♥ B of ®ƒ


1 Bodies of Water
2 The Space Between Lightning and Thunder
3 Spore
4 Divide by Zero
5 Archimedes Plutonium
6 Sqworm
7 Fingerhold
8 If I Equals U
9 Brevony
10 Proof
11 Helium

2/14/12

The 1st single "Spore" is streamable and downloadable via p4k.

Lost Lander - DRRT (2012)

I'm enjoying a lot of this debut album from this new Portland group Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls/ex-Menomena, worked with.

They use fuzzy guitar, piano, vocal harmonies, strings, and a lot of other things that I often enjoy in music. Chamber College-Rock of sorts.

Kind of cool how in the encoding of the mp3's from their Bandcamp page, the lyrics show up on at least Windows Media Player I use.

The bandcamp finds in 2012, especially from bands that are working-with or even just promoted on artists facebook pages that I already know/like. It seems to be what I am digging the most this year so far.

I guess it could be safe to say, 2012: the year of Bandcamp.com or the year of the "Bandcamp finds." We'll see if I discover 1 every week, I'll have 50+ newly discovered artists just from said website.

Also for some reason, a lot of them hail from Portland, Oregon (Norhern Abbey, Forest Park, now these guys). Maybe I need to go visit or even move there? lol.

Lost Lander on Facebook

Ramona Falls - TBA (2012)

Facebook link

Big shout-out of Love and Gratitude to Mr. Tony Lash for mixing our new album. http://www.tonylash.com/ Wow: work-ethic + passion, a total Pro. ♥ B of ®ƒ


This is just an early announcement, as that post on Facebook Brent made confirms their new album is coming. In due time, likely in another entry, I'll elaborate about Ramona, but to say I'm excited to hear another album from them would be accurate.

In the mean time, check out that new tune in that live video.

There's also a chance for another Menomena album this year (sans Brent obviously).

The Cloak Ox - Prisen [EP] (2011)

9/6/11 3:28PM

Video for the song "Prison" (nope. I haven't heard or watched it yet)



8/17/11 3:29PM




1 Prisen 3:02
2 Vacuum Cleaner 3:30
3 Artist at the Door 4:42

Being released on September 27th.

I should have more to add once I get to hear this preview and the all 3 tracks from this debut EP from the Minnesota collaboration whose combination of styles easily suggests they're as progressive as any new artist making music today. I'm sure glad I caught their set opening for Menomena last March.

Belated Review: Menomena + Others The Whole Music Club 3/4/11 2011

Okay, another delayed review, which does sound like a broken-record. Maybe this blog should be called the belated allmediareviews :p?. But anyway, better late, than never right?

I love the band Menomena. I've gradually found them to be a definitive band of my taste, really since about 2008 or early 2009. I don't recall precisely when it was, but in 2007, I got into them with becoming attached to their debut record I Am the Fun Blame Monster. And then Friend and Foe, after not being as into it initially, began to grow on me after it's release year of 2007.

Then the past couple of years, I've begun to appreciate their all instrumental, 3-song a little less than 1-hour opus, aptly titled Under An Hour. And along with Brent Knopf's new and now current project Ramona Falls and 2010's excellent Mines, these guys pretty much have done no wrong to me.

But Brent left the band not long after I got to see them live with him last September. So Justin Harris and Danny Seim decided, at least for now, to continue as Menomena. Touring and presumably recording in the near future. this article explains a lot about it.

And only having seen them once, I was not going to miss them again when they announced this show at "the University of Minnesota." Which was not The Varsity Theater, where the show last September was. And TVT is located in Dinkytown on/near the University campus.

It was at "The Whole" in the Coffman Student Union, not far from Dinkytown. I had only been to the Coffman Union a few times, once or twice back in the day for a record show, and then in 2007 for Dethklok. But never the actual "The Whole" room, which is 3 floors down from the entrance.

And I can't stress enough how impressed I was with their setup there. There were couches all over, the acoustics were great, and INTIMATE. I kind of felt like, wtf, where have I been, or why I have I never been here before? It was like The Varsity Theater, but maybe better. It was sort of like if Menomena was playing in my living room. How cool is that?

So, getting into the performance and things. I must add a bit about the opening bands. 1 being this new project called The Cloak Ox. Which of course I'd never heard of. It includes Martin Dosh, whose pretty well-known not only in Minnesota, but in the college-rock circles in his sort of instrumental/jazzy/electronic at times group Dosh. Along with Andrew Broder, Mark Erickson and Jeremy Ylvisaker. Broder, I recall plays with Dosh, or another band. Why? and Fog both. I knew his name was familiar. Erickson and Ylvisaker I guess also have been with Broder in both? of those groups.

But more about The Cloak Ox. They are new, but man they impressed the hell out of me! They were going between genres exceptionally well. From Post-Rock, to Power-Pop, to Prog, to blues. I forget all the styles they incorporated, but it was rather jaw-dropping. All I knew is, right after they finished, I wanted to hear more! And in fact, in chatting with them, they have a record they are working on right now, which very well could be released later this year. They also had another gig, just last evening (March 26th) that I would likely have attended at the 7th Street Entry, but my plans to see Judgement Day (and Metropolis) forced my hand into choosing 1 over the other.

But hopefully they'll schedule some more gigs soon, and I'll get to remember why I was so blown away at that show by them again, at least until their 1st studio release is made.

edit: there are a few videos on youtube of "Artist at the Door"



So, I should also not forget the other opener, The Minute Intentions of a Boa Constructor, which their name is a mouthful, (maybe call them TMIOABC?), but their music almost fits their name. It was music that crammed in a lot of ideas in a short amount of time. "art-folk-pop-punk" is what I read on that fb link. I suppose how chaotic or genre-blending they were, might require more time. But I remember thinking, this is a little noisy and chaotic, but the end result seems to work.

I suppose groups like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Kiss Kiss, or 1 group that came to mind even was Graph (who what they're up to, I have no idea, but I should try and check in with them soon). The way music can at times effectively combine genres simultaneously, I've seen it happen. It's not easy of course, but when pulled-off, I am totally into. And I'm hoping this group does that. In fact I may have, or they mentioned hearing their music online was available (on fb), and I need to still. In time, I should. As they say, so much music, so little time, etc, etc.

So, as far as Menomena themselves, I knew going-in, the chances of hearing many if any Brent-songs was low. And, there really weren't any. But the set list was extensive and save for a few hiccups (pun? :p), with 2 of the new touring members. 1 being Paul Alcott who played a lot of the keyboards and guitar parts Brent did, another I think was his 1st gig. I forget. The issues were minor and understandable, but not really forgettable.

I guess trying to recall the set list, I'll do my best.

Taos
Lunchmeat
Queen Black Acid
The Late Great Libido
Strongest Man In The World (maybe the biggest highlight for me, and a Brent song in some ways)
Muscle'n Flo
Tithe
Weird
The Pelican
Five Little Rooms
Rotten Hell

Dirty Cartoons?

most if not the entire set was the same as the set from the show they did in Louisville, KY 1-week later shown here.

No Wet and Rusting of course, nor Rose, Killemall, Sleeping Beauty, The Monkey's Back, etc. Maybe in due time. I do feel bad for anyone whose never seen them, if they don't end up playing a lot of those great, melodic Brent tunes. But it's understandable why they may not. Paul Alcott or whoever else is with them has something to live up to, in playing Brent's parts. Even just vocally.

But I was still more than thrilled to see them again. Their future, I still hope goes on for a long time, as that article I posted above suggests. Justin Harris and Danny Seim are still 2 great songwriters, and I have belief will make a lot more great music as Menomena or doing something else. Lackthere0f for Danny as well.

But Brent's absence was felt still, I can't deny. And feel fortunate, like seeing Mark Zonder with Fates Warning and Neal Morse with Spock's Beard in 2001 (or Johan Langell and Kristoffer Gildenlow with Pain of Salvation in 2001, 2002, and 2004), to see Brent with Menomena, even just the 1 time last September. And I'm looking forward to the future work from Ramona Falls of course.

But this show will certainly be remembered for the opening acts and being at The Whole, as much as for Menomena themself. I just hope I will find my way back to The Whole and see Menomena again someday. Because if I don't (as I've been through that many times. See The Woman's Club Theater, Ritz Theater..As Tall As Lions last year..the list is endless), it certainly was as memorable a concert I've been to in 2011. Why it took me so bloody long to write about it in here? maybe I was testing just *how* memorable it really was. I think the test was pretty successful :p

Warpaint Spring 2011 Tour Dates: MINNEAPOLIS FINALLY!

3/23/11 2:01PM

Their return/debut headlining show in Minneapolis finally is this evening at The Varsity Theater.

Assuming all goes well in a relative amount of time, a review should pop up in here in the coming hours/days. I do have Fair to Midland and Judgement Day later this week as well.

Plus, given the circumstance of a lot of snow and not wanting to head home in it, prior to heading over to the Varsity, I may find myself with some time to kill and do some catchup blogging. With the assistance of a decent Wifi connection somewhere between the hours of 3:30-7pm-ish.


1/18/11 8:18PM


Facebook Post

U.S. tour announcement: Warpaint will be playing dates throughout the United States in March and April. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Visit the website's tour page for a full listing of dates.

http://www.warpaintwarpaint.com/tour/


01/31/11 Auckland Laneway Festival – Auckland New Zealand
02/04/11 Brisbane Laneway Festival – Brisbane Australia
02/05/11 Melbourne Laneway Festival – Melbourne Australia
02/06/11 Sydney Laneway Festival – Sydney Australia
02/08/11 Sydney Oxford Art Factory Australia
02/09/11 Melbourne Northcote Social Club Australia
02/10/11 Melbourne Northcote Social Club Australia
02/11/11 Adelaide Laneway Festival – Adelaide Australia
02/12/11 Perth Laneway Festival – Perth Australia
02/21/11 London, UK O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire United Kingdom

03/16/11 San Francisco, CA The Independent United States
03/17/11 Eugene, OR WOW Hall United States
03/18/11 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom United States
03/19/11 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret Canada
03/20/11 Seattle, WA Neumos United States
03/23/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater United States
03/24/11 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall United States
03/25/11 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom United States
03/26/11 Toronto, ON Wrongbar Canada
03/27/11 Montreal, PQ La Sala Rossa Canada
03/29/11 Boston, MA Paradise United States
03/30/11 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Bowl United States
03/31/11 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom United States
04/01/11 Philadelphia, PA Theater of Living Arts United States
04/02/11 Washington, DC Black Cat United States
04/03/11 Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade and Tavern United States
04/05/11 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge United States
04/07/11 New Orleans, LA Republic United States
04/08/11 Houston, TX Fitzgeralds United States
04/09/11 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa United States
04/11/11 Dallas, TX The Loft United States
04/13/11 Tucson, AZ Club Congress United States

05/11/11 Cambridge Junction United Kingdom
05/13/11 Oxford O2 Academy United Kingdom
05/14/11 Manchester Gorilla United Kingdom
05/15/11 Dublin Tripod Ireland
05/17/11 Bristol O2 Academy United Kingdom
05/18/11 Birmingham HMV Institute – The Library United Kingdom
05/19/11 Leeds MET Students Union United Kingdom
05/20/11 Lancaster Library United Kingdom
05/23/11 O2 Academy New Castle United Kingdom
05/24/11 Sheffield Leadmill United Kingdom
05/26/11 Paris Bataclan France

Finally! This shall be interesting, as I've mentioned a handful of times, the last (and only?) show they played in town at the 7th Street Entry on Sunday September 19th, 2009 from speaking to a number of people there, I don't recall ONE person going to the show for Warpaint, let alone even knowing who they were. Their may have been a few people there who knew them, but also came for SVIIB.

Although here's one person who was there. But did they know who Warpaint were before the show?

I suspect this is going to be rather similar to really the last 2 Local Natives shows. Although this will only be my 2nd time seeing them, but I'm almost expecting dejavu. And more or less anyone I go up to and ask, so were you at the show at the Entry? Perhaps some will say they were, but also may add they hadn't heard of them.

I guess beyond that, the big deal about this is seeing them perform, and seeing the new songs live. And seeing Stella. That's all you need to know. Stella wasn't even in the band when they were last here.

And you know, hugs I can only hope (beg/pray)..hehe. It is awesome it's the Varsity Theater of course too. And the evening before Fair to Midland.

Menomena: Brent Knopf leaves. Tour+Reissue

Menomena's post

After 10 years of fruit­ful col­lab­o­ra­tion, Brent Knopf has decided to part ways with Menom­ena to focus on Ramona Falls and other cre­ative pur­suits. We want to thank Brent for his vast con­tri­bu­tions over the years and wish him noth­ing but hap­pi­ness in all of his future endeav­ors. All three of us look for­ward to see­ing you soon!

The March US Tour will fea­ture Paul Acott round­ing out the quartet.
02-04 Brisbane, Australia - Fortitude Valley
02-05 Melbourne, Australia - Footscray Community Arts Centre
02-06 Sydney, Australia - Sydney College of the Arts
02-07 Sydney, Australia - The Factory Theatre
02-09 Melbourne, Australia - East Brunswick Club
02-11 Adelaide, Australia - Fowler’s Live
02-12 Perth, Australia - Perth Cultural Centre
03-04 Minneapolis, MN - U of M
03-05 Ames, IA - The Maintenance Shop
03-06 Iowa City, IA - The Mill
03-09 Columbia, MO - Blue Note
03-10 St. Louis, MO - The Gargoyle
03-11 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
03-12 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
03-15 New Orleans, LA - Republic
03-16 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
03-17-20 Austin, TX - SXSW
04-15-17 Indio, CA - Coachella

more on p4k about the reissue of IAtFBM


a) well, I/many knew or saw this coming. At least part of it.

b) I'm glad I did see them the one time last September with Brent.

c) I'm glad they are coming back even without Brent

d) I'm certainly looking forward to the next Ramona Falls record. Perhaps even in 2011.

e) I have no idea who Paul Acott is (not the guy from 13 Knots who helped them out on tour last fall I'm assuming)

f) I am looking forward to the reissue of I Am the Fun Blame Monster! certainly with a dvd and bonus stuff.

but the big thing that I still wonder about is, will Justin and Danny continue as Menomena, and for how long. I guess we'll see. Brent was likely the one who seemed the most likely to leave, as that story I read last Summer said a lot of the Ramona Falls songs were rejected by the band anyway. Sad, but true.

Sufjan Stevens - Too Much live on Jimmy Fallon

So I totally missed this and Menomena recently on his show or Carson Daley, I forget. But as far as this performance, you know musically fine. But what's up with the Glammy get-up and all the extra costuming? Is Sufjan now trying to make his band Apes and Androids? And there, I mean it might be better in a big concert hall or theater, but on tv it kind of looked weird and I hate to say it, but a bit poser-ish.

Mind you, The Age of Adz is his best record, and "Impossible Soul" is his best song, but I was definitely a bit surprised by this, which I guess was his 1st National TV/Talk Show appearance like Menomena earlier this year on Fallon or Kimmel, I forget.

September 23rd, 2010 in Minneapolis: Menomena and/or Foals

Menomena and Foals: Equally goofy and both releasing excellent 2010 albums, AND in Minneapolis the very same evening of September 23rd, 2010.



I've waited about 3 years to see Menomena live. They finally booked another show here for September 23rd, and my favorite venue in town, The Varsity Theater. It was October or November 2007 when they last played in Minnesota, at the Varsity in fact. The same evening The Faceless were on the bill with Arsis and the headliner Enslaved at Station 4 in St.Paul. I decided for quantity, over perhaps quality, by skipping Menomena.

So the new Foals album came out earlier this year, and has become a regular-rotation record for me. It's really a breakthrough in a lot of ways. And I certainly would be interested in seeing them live now, more than ever.



They are from England (as opposed to Menomena being from the States), and who knows how often they'll find their way over here. But then again, the same could be said for Menomena. It may depend on how much more touring Menomena does for Mines this Fall or more likely in 2011. How big/much bigger they become and the demand for touring continues. Just on the surface, the odds seem better Menomena would be back sooner. But the same question should be raised about Foals, given they are a bit of a hipster band (one of the rare exceptions where the lemmings and usually low-substance-taste-media, actually promote a band whose music justifies it in some ways. In other ways, I'd argue it gets raped by them).

Perhaps Foals will find their way across the pond, to Minneapolis again in 2011 as well.

I just hate to have to pick.

The details right now for a possible concert jump.

Menomena has 1 opener, Suckers. The doors at The Varsity Theater are 7pm. The music starts at 8pm. If all goes well, Menomena will be starting by 9pm. They'll probably play over an hour. Maybe 90 minutes. The show ends by 10:30pm..maybe 11pm at the latest.

Meanwhile, Foals at The Entry: Entry shows, unless they are all-ages, NEVER start less than 1 hour after the doors. But also Entry shows pretty much every time have 2 or 3 openers. I've been to (sadly) probably 15 or 20 shows there over the last 10 years. I don't recall, save for The Appleseed Cast I think, any shows without not 1 but 2 or more opening bands. If the math works out, 2 bands get added to the bill, and even if the 1st band starts at 8pm, probably the earliest Foals could go on stage would be 10pm, but more likely closer to 11pm. Especially if more than 2 bands open, which would hardly be surprising. Maybe Foals has 1 or 2 national/international openers on their September/October tour, and then The Entry adds at least 1 local opener.

It's possible Foals won't even be starting until 11pm. If that happens, a concert-jump sounds very possible.

However, 1 or 2 other minor beefs that remain with this. The same night, of Montreal w/ Janella Monae are in The Mainroom. I actually would go for seeing of Montreal live sometime, as much as I've been underwhelmed by their studio music. But Monae has become hipster band 101 as well. So the mass of people there, like the Jimmy Gnecco 7th Street Entry/Gayngs-Ball thing back in May, has to happen at the pathetically joining venues the exact same evening.

But at least it's on a Thursday (and not Friday) and there is no Twins game at Target Field that evening thank gawd.

I just hate it when this stuff comes up. I'm a victim in some way of my own taste. But you got 2 of the better indie-prog bands in town the same evening. It reminds me a little of when Kaddisfly were in town the same night Mew headlined at The Fine Line, the Fall of 2006. I managed to see both, but it wasn't easy.





This wouldn't be such a big deal to me, perhaps, except for the fact Mines and Total Life Forever are both in my top 5 on my 2010 Album Index. And the fact Foals may not be back for many years given they are from England and the cost of touring overseas isn't always simple.

And I can't see myself eating the Menomena ticket. I already purchased it, and I've waited far too long too see them live. Even if I am able to pull off seeing both of these shows that night, part of me may be a bit down about lost time trying to chat with the guys in Menomena as well. Although I got to chat a bit with Brent Knopf last Fall when he was in town with Ramona Falls (ironically, at the Entry), I'd still love to say hello, and maybe have him sign my new disc. That may be possible beforehand. But also meeting Danny Seim and Justin Harris (of Menomena) would be a big deal to me. Danny was actually there with Ramona as well, as the drummer, but I had no idea until after the show, and I wasn't able to talk to him.

But that may be possible still, beforehand, or for a few minutes after wards, depending on how loaded up the bill at the Entry gets (and maybe I'll trying calling over to The Entry to find out the more specific times of the bands, the day/afternoon/early evening that day, since of course the bill's times and schedule are never known until the day/afternoon or evening of the show. But at least I would assume Foals is last since they are headlining).

but beyond all of these shenanigans, I still think if a promoter had any clue, these 2 bands should have ended up on the same bill. Now of course the finances of that wouldn't benefit each band as much I'd guess. And I may be 1 of the, if not the only person who will/would-want-to see both of these bands (some of their fans may be at the of Montreal show w/ Janelle Monae instead anyway), but I still say a bill together would make sense and benefit each band in terms of exposure no matter.

The indie-prog fan is in town, but like most fans in this town, they stay in the woods until the night of the show.

Why should I have to choose between these two?