Album Review: Menomena - Moms

It's a wonder Menomena came up with anything at all when recording Mines two years ago. Split by internal tensions, the trio barely spoke to each other but still somehow produced a top-notch little album, despite often recording their parts in isolation on a home-made computer program. Something had to give, though, and Brent Knopf's departure allowed remaining members Justin Harris and Danny Seim to sort out their differences and re-focus their energies as a duo. And, re-focus they do on fifth album Moms as they turn up the distortion louder than ever and emerge with a record that's much more emotionally fraught than past releases.

It may be louder, but all the elements that make Menomena stand out remain. The intricate rhythms and relaxed vocals are still there, despite some more confessional lyrics, and they're complemented by snatches of melodies sweeping in and out of the mix as tracks build to unexpected crescendos. Album highlight Pique demonstrates this as bursts of guitar and sax build the drama before the piano line curls its way in for a big ending. Heavy Is As Heavy Does begins with a single piano before erupting into a big cathartic finish as themes of strained parental relationships and growing old are seriously laid bare. Giftshoppe powers along on a propulsive beat while Skintercourse builds a nice little groove before the epic Don't Mess With Latexas adds in a dash of spaghetti western towards the end. There is still the odd jarring moment, like an impenetrable fuzz of noise midway through Baton, but that is probably the price you pay for dealing with so many creative elements in what is another seriously classy effort from this band.