perhaps because of the international attention given to their brilliant 2006 record and the glass-handed kites (superstarcastic review of it here), danish quartet mew has re-released their 2003 album frengers. previously available in the usa only as an import, frengers is a powerful slab of rock’n'roll and is more single-friendly than last year’s conceptual offering.
mew’s sound on frengers is, as always, hard to define (alterna-psych-prog-rock-pop?) but the soaring vocal choruses, guitar riffs, rippling bass and pumped-up percussion combine to create a dazzling sonic atmosphere evocative of northern wastelands. singer jonas bjerre has one of those voices that will either annoy the crap out of you or will give you the good kind of chicken skin. it’s high and sharp and sometimes he reaches notes that men shouldn’t be able to reach without being kicked you-know-where. it contrasts oddly with the immense orchestra-rock sound and fiery instrumentation but the resulting effect has a weird energy that works.
the song structures on frengers (a compound of “friends” and “strangers”) are strange, multi-textured and anything but predictable, odd aural experiments that manage to remain lush and melodic. the sound kinda reminds me of early mercury rev and frankly renders it nearly impossible to remain sedately seated when such moving things are happening in your ears.
Frengers opens with the shimmering riffs and kinetic basslines of “Am I Wry? No,” a hard-edged song faintly reminiscent of my bloody valentine, only with choirlike vocals and frantic, choppy drumming. mew’s promotional representatives were kind enough to provide us with a copy of this song so you could hear it for yourselves before rushing out to get your paws on this reissue. please download and enjoy.
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I can’t decide if i like “jonas bjerre’s one of those voices that will either annoy you or will give you chicken skin” voice. WIth the phasing they put on it, and it’s highness, I’m reminded waaay too much of the singer from a slickly produced Hollywood emo-punk band. If I hadn’t heard so of that top 40 vocal production in the last few years, I would probably instantly like it, but I can’t help but see my Chemical Romance or something when listening.
I think that’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. Whats wrong with you?
This website likes the Norwegian men. 
I saw MEW open a show for REM last year. It was very good. They truly play “dreamy thunderstorm music.”
We love the Norwegian men, and hate the American New Wave Hooker Girls!
I like *my* hookers wearing fishnets, so speak for yourself, you Turbonegro manwh0re!!
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Comment by amber — January 27, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
i’ve been obsessing over and the glass handed kites and a triumph for man for MONTHS. i gotta get my hands on this too.