This time Menomena take aim for the heart as well as the head.

Menomena are a tricky proposition. With three albums already under the Portland three-piece’s collective belt, their music is still mislabelled as often as their name is mispronounced (it rhymes with “phenomena”). Although nominally covered by the nebulous indie tag, Menomena’s sound often encompasses progressive rock, freeform jazz and ambient electronica in a single stride. The band’s democratic songwriting process, in which all members contribute and share vocal duties, is kept in check using Deeler, a software programme developed by Menomenite Brent Knopf to allow members to pick and choose individual parts within a defined time signature. Welcome to 21st century jamming.   

Met Friend And Foe leverde het trio Menomena een van de betere platen uit 2007 af. Experimenteel, gewaagd en toch enorm poppy. Bij Mines, de opvolger van dit prachtwerkje, zijn de verwachtingen dan ook hooggespannen.