REVIEW: Múm - Smilewound

7.75 out of 10

Find it here. 

For a band as consistent as Múm you would think more people would be obsessed with them by now* (*I know they have their fans, but I still think there isn't enough chatter there). Since 2000 Múm have been putting out some of my favorite Icelandic records. They're playful yet elegant way of mixing "child-like" Folk music with Experimental Electronics is something I constantly crave.

On average the time between albums is usually only about 2 years, this one ('Smilewound') was about 4 years in the making. And, as usual the wait was worth it. It almost seems impossible to stay as consistently surprising and amazing as Múm always does, especially considering the constantly revolving band line up (something like 15+ band members have come and gone throughout the years). Múm's sound has definitely changed/evolved a little bit though.. In the beginning it seemed delicate Folk-tronica was this band's niche, they carried on with this tradition for the first few releases, and then (in 2007) they released what is possibly my favorite record of theirs 'Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy'. That album was (almost) something completely different for them, heavily influenced by the Experimental side with more precocious "Folk" sounds. It's still one of the best albums I own. Flash forward some years later (in-which they released 'Sing Along To Songs You Don't Know', which was decent, but not my favorite of theirs) to now and they are back at it with 'Smilewound', which is closer to the early years of Múm mixed with a few of the elements heard on 'Go Go Smear..' and what seems like a stronger leaning toward "Pop" elegance. I will assume you've heard Múm by now right?? You better have. There really isn't more can I say about this band that hasn't already been said. I absolutely love this release, on 'Smilewound' we once again see Múm focusing on what they do best which is bringing out the inner child out in every listener.

Múm fans already own this, you should too. Recommended.

Standout Tracks: Underwater Snow, When Girls Collide, Slow Down, One Smile, Eternity Is The Wait Between Breaths, Sweet Impressions, Time To Scream And Shout, Whistle (With Kylie)

EIC's 10Q's w/ Múm

".. bringing out the inner child out in every listener.." 

Múm

Precocious Pioneers

Múm Bio:

Múm (pronounced [muːm], “moom”) is an experimental electronic group from Iceland whose music is characterized by soft vocals, eccentric beats and colorful effects, and a variety of traditional and unconventional instruments.  Originally a duo, the band has expanded and contracted in the 12 years of being and has counted 15 - 20 people along the way. More here.

Hello, how are you?

(Orvar forgot this one, we'll assume he's happy:)

What are you currently listening to?

I was in a summer cabin the other week and I found a scratched CDR of 'Blue Lines' by Massive Attack. I thought I wouldn't be able to play it, that the CD player would barf it out…. but I have been listening to it constantly. What a masterpiece.

Care to shed some info on your latest LP; theme, favorite track(s), etc?

It's called 'Smilewound' and it's a simple little album of short Electronic songs. Mostly at least, we might have gone a bit of the path once or twice on there.

How did the Kylie Minogue collaboration come to be?

We were working on a soundtrack for a film where she was playing a lesbian tattoo artist. The director of the film wanted some sort of a club track for a specific scene that happens in a night club and he wanted her to sing it, but I was talking to him on the phone and I was in spain and the reception was really bad and then we go cut off so I somehow misunderstood him and all of a sudden we had written a ballad with her in mind. It was the wrong kind of a song, but it was so good that everyone agreed to make this happen.

Will you be touring extensively for said release?

We tour less and less with every album, but we will still be making a few trips. We are pretty much booked for most of 2013 and then we will see what happens in the new year.

Got any other projects we should know about?

We are about to start writing a score for a theater play for a production in Gdansk in Poland. The play is The Story of the Blue Planet, which we scored in Iceland about 10-12 years ago, but this production will hopefully be very different from that. And then we have a couple of other interesting projects that we will start working on when this album cools down.

Whom is your favorite Icelandic artist of all time?

Let's say Megas, just because that's the easy answer. He is everyones favorite and he deserves to be.

What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?

'Miracolo A Milano' by De Sica

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?

'Appetite For Destruction' by Guns N' Roses

Are you living your dream?

I will know when I wake up.

Thanx Orvar/Múm and Brooke!

Múm is currently touring in a few spots, mostly in Europe..Maybe one day the US? (I would love to see these guys live..)

REVIEW: Caroline - Verdugo Hills

8.25 out of 10

Find it here.

It's been a little over 4 years since Caroline's debut album came out. I was beginning to wonder if it may be a "one-off" kind of project (I may have jumped the gun).. No matter, the wait was worth it. "Verdugo Hills" picks up almost exactly where "Murmurs" left off. Gorgeous vocals, twinkly electronics, gleeful melodies, and a beautiful honesty that has the ability to warm/melt the coldest of all hearts.

One of things I like the most about Caroline is the way she takes a modern Pop song (the type I usually don't care for) and turns it into a beautiful "abstract-ish" Electronic composition. I love the gentle/"toy-like sounding" melodies, the playful clicks and kicks, the melancholy piano tones, and of course Caroline's "more than seductive"/persuasive & innocent sounding vocals (seriously, one of the best voices out there (so underrated)). I wouldn't necessarily consider Caroline "Electronic", but I wouldn't say "J-Pop" either, somewhere in the middle perhaps? If this helps, think Miko meets Mum (early days). Her music is pretty, somewhat "cutesy", modern, organic, and definitely calming. She has two albums now, both of which are near perfect albums the should not be passed up by anyone (in my opinion anyways:) I can't wait for more...

Hopefully you know about Caroline by now, if you don't you really should get to know this HIGHLY UNDERRATED artist. I think I will always recommend her music to the right individuals (the kind of people that like to fully utilize their ears). This is what the future of Pop music should sound like as well as one of 2011's shiniest moments. Recommendedededdedmemdmemmended!

Standout Tracks: Swimmer, Seesaw (LO♥E), Pink Gloom (what a perfect name for such a perfect song), Waltz (again), Snow (love the horns in this one--reminds me of Bjork a lil')

Speaking of excitable new releases..

Sailors With Wax Wings' debut album comes out this Fall..

R. Loren (Pyramids) has assembled a new project together called "Sailors With Wax Wings".

Here's who's involved:
Prurient, Ted Parsons (Swans), Simon Scott (Slowdive), Aidan Baker (Nadja), Vern Rumsey (Unwound), Hildur Gudnnadottir (Fever Ray/Mum), Colin Marston (Krallice), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), and James Blackshaw (Current 93)..(<--yeaaah, this is happening..)

HOO-LLY $4!†

REVIEW: Sally Paradise - L'Ascension Du Mont Shing

7.25 out of 10

Find it here.

Sally Paradise (who's name I love) are a new group hailing from the Montreal area. The kind of music they create can best be classified as hazey/somewhat-cutesy Dream Pop. Fans of Mum, Azeda Booth, Lali Puna, or any other band along those lines should dig this EP. Also, the fact that it's a "pay as you want" release means you have nothing to lose..

"L'Ascension Du Mont Shing", the band's debut release, is filled with inventive sounds that will capture your attention from the very first distorted note to the last purring melody. Keyboards, drum machine sounds, a few synths, a guitar, LOTS of distortion pedals, and "tuck me into bed" vocals make this album a must for those quite evenings when you just want to relax in the dark by candlelight reading a book.

This is a terrific little ep with lot's of heart, quality atmospheres, and soothing distortions which really are soothing & mesmerizing towards the right set of ears. I like it, maybe you will too? PS I think the cover art for this album speaks miles for the music within.

Standout Tracks: My Way Not To Fall (FREE remix HERE), Le Vent Du Mont Shing

REVIEW: When The Clouds - The Longed For Season

6.25 out of 10

Find it here.

"The Longed For Season" is When The Clouds debut release. The music within is melancholy Post Rock with electronics intertwined as well as a few other lush/atmospheric stratiforms. The overall vibe is a soundtrack to a nice breezy day where your worries are no longer an issue.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. I have grown tired of the genre "Post Rock". It's just not my thing anymore, more and more bands these days sound just like the rest. There isn't enough uniqueness/originality anymore, the music has lost it's "edge", & the scene has expanded itself into the Shoegaze/Dream Pop area while almost forgetting it's roots of truly emotional music without lyrics spelling out each and every note. With "The Longed For Season" I feel as if some of those unique layers of "emotional noise" have returned to form as well as picking up a few sounds that are comparable to Mum or maybe The Album Leaf along the way. The music is simple, but overall pleasing. A guitar, keyboard, and a sampler make these "lucid" sounds that standout as a "new"/fresh breath of air that is sure to sound pleasing after a disquieting day. Maybe a new revival is on the way, maybe not, who knows? Either way, if more "Post Rock" bands took a listen to what's going on inside the mind of Franceso Galano (WTC) they might find hope and inspiration into what could possibly be one of the last glimmering sounds of a drying genre.

Overall this EP will appeal to anyone into the Post Rock genre, as well as anyone into nice laid back music without any complications or intrusive layers getting in the way. An impressive debut for sure. I am interested to see where Mr. Galano takes his career.

Standout Tracks: Rise On (I like the glitchy guitar sampling on this one), The November Song (love the electronic layers underneath the guitar)

REVIEW: Valgeir Sigurðsson - Draumalandið

7.5 out of 10

Find it here.

Valgeir Sigurðsson is one of the staple acts on Bedroom Community, Ben Frost's label. The music he creates is Classical music meshed with crunchy electronic samples (much like Ben Frost's music, only a little more organic/Classical). He's worked with Bjork, Mum, Kronos Quartet, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and Nico Muhly to name a few. And for his latest release (2nd full length) he was asked to score an Icelandic film titled "Draumalandið", which is a documentary about the exploitation of Iceland's natural resources. Yes, his resume is indeed quite impressive, but he is only just beginning.

The overall mood for the film seems to be dreary, and somewhat "dream like" as the title suggests however "Draumalandið" is more than just a score, it is warning to future/parallel societies. For the film's score Valgeir Sigurðsson has chosen the path of abase, dark, and ominous sounds accompanied by strings, horns, piano, minimal electronics, and a few drum pieces that sort of bring to mind Steve Reich. The whole composition is very forward moving, with a "slowly melting" feel to it. Is it contradictory to be fast and slow at the same time? Maybe. But I think that is the point Mr. Sigurðsson is trying to make with this piece.. All of our forward/fast thinking decisions are slowly corrupting and decaying environments around us. We never take a moment to look at our surroundings because we are so focused on our monetary goals. And it's because of these decisions that are world may be doomed. Classical music can be a hard thing to review/explain. There are so many sounds/moods/ambiances within that will give each listener their own personal experience. I do feel with this piece the message seems pretty obvious and it's something we should all take a moment to sit back and think about. I love the music, I love the message, and I love that Valgeir Sigurðsson was chosen to create such a dramatic "environment" as only he could. If you're at all a fan of the genre consider this a must.

If you're a sucker for serene/quiet string pieces that swell and buckle over and under forward thinking electronic atmospheres you're in for a treat. Recommended.

Standout Tracks: Dreamland, Laxness, Hot Ground Cold, Draumaland (love the piano on this track -- kind of reminds me of Philip Glass), Nowhere Land, Helter Smelter

A couple tracks worth downloading..

Mum - Sing Along (FM Belfast Remix)

&

A Place To Bury Strangers - In Your Heart (Ceral Spiller Remix)

Thanx RCRDLBL!

Free, NEW Mum song..

New album out 9/20!!

2009 Mum Tour..

Oct 21 2009 8:00P
The Somerville Theatre Somerville, Massachusetts
Oct 22 2009 8:00P
First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 23 2009 8:00P
Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC
Oct 24 2009 8:00P
Le Poisson Rouge NY, New York
Oct 26 2009 8:00P
Le National Montreal, Quebec
Oct 27 2009 8:00P
Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, Ontario
Oct 28 2009 8:00P
Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois
Oct 29 2009 8:00P
McGuire Theater Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nov 1 2009 8:00P
Marquee Room Calgary, Alberta
Nov 2 2009 8:00P
Richards on Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
Nov 3 2009 8:00P
Showbox at the Market Seattle, Washington
Nov 4 2009 8:00P
Aladdin Theater Portland, Oregon
Nov 5 2009 8:00P
The Independent San Francisco, California
Nov 6 2009 8:00P
El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, California
Nov 7 2009 8:00P
Yost Theatre Santa Ana, California

Sigh...my city was passed up : (