Menomena-Mines

On their newest album Mines, Menomena utilize a definite less-is-more approach to sculpting their signature pop songs. At first, the sound is bleak and subtle. Their old rhythm changes and varied instrumentations have been simplified, allowing the band to bare it all. On "Tithe," drummer Dannny Seim sings "Nothing sounds appealing." Interpret this as you will, but what this quote does is function best as an example of the sheer honesty delivered by Menomena on their latest LP. Changes are vast.
What remains the same are Danny Seim's intricately woven drum beats and Justin Harris' usual powerful vocals. Mines is surely an album worthy of repeated listens, in fact its brilliancy is dependent on them. For each time through, the album crawls closer and closer to one's heart, bringing with it the twangy guitars and brassy sax that made you fall in love with Menomena in the first place.