25. Stars – The Five Ghosts

Holds up really well upon repeated listens, unlike it’s predecessor. Though, frustratingly, the title track didn’t end up on the album.

24. Action Action – The Ones Who Get It Are The Ones Who Need Not To Know

Despite an annoying lead vocalist (who kind of grows on you over time) there’s something special about this album. Energetic, dark, fun and inventive throughout. I believe this was a digital-only self-release, and that’s a shame, as it’s the best thing this band has put out, by miles.

23. The National – High Violet

Doesn’t quite hit the highs that Boxer did, which is why it’s so low on this list, but it’s still a great album that soundtracked much of my year. Often because someone else was playing it. As much as I want their ‘hipster coolness’ to distract from the music, it doesn’t.
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Those fine people at Big Ass Lens have shared some equally fine footage of Menomena playing in NYC last week. Crivvens!

This is a really great set of footage: “TAOS”, “BOTE” (from current LP Mines) and “Evil Bee” in the video above; and see “Five Little Rooms”, “Muscle’n Flow” and “The Pelican” over on a 2nd video at the Big Ass Lens site.

Featuring as part of Menomena’s touring band is Joe Haege, whose other project, Tu Fawning, is supporting the Mines tour.

Big Ass Lens: Menomena – Live in New York 10/1 – Videos

I’ve been meaning to put something up about Portland’s Tu Fawning for a while, and this video for “I Know You Now” gives me the perfect opportunity. A four piece with a pretty distinctive sound, their debut LP Hearts on Hold made its appearance in the world yesterday.

I have to say that I’ve only had a limited exposure to their sound, but I like what I hear so far. Joe Haege from the group is currently working with Menomena as a member of their touring band (and also features in 31Knots), which will be handy since Tu Fawning are currently touring with, er, Menomena (dates after the jump)

MP3: Tu Fawning, “The Felt Sense”

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Their recent set featured:

Queen Black Acid
Taos

Stream the full playback here.

Catch Menomena on their NA tour.

MP3: Menomena – Five Little Rooms

Their recent set featured:

Five Little Rooms
Killemall
Queen Black Acid
Taos

Stream the full playback here.

Catch Menomena on their NA tour.

MP3: Menomena – Rotten Hell

Catch ‘em at:

9.10 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
9.11 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
9.14 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
9.16 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater
9.17 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
9.18 – Tempe, AZ – Clubhouse
9.21 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
9.22 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
9.23 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
9.24 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
9.25 – Chicago, IL – The Metro
9.27 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
9.28 – Toronto, Ontario – Mod Club
9.29 – Montreal, Quebec – La Sala Rossa
9.30 – Boston, MA – Royale
10.1 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
10.5 – Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
10.6 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
10.7 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
10.8 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
10.9 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
10.11 – St. Louis, MO – Luminary Arts
10.12 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck
10.14 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
10.15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
10.16 – Boise, ID – Neurolux

Mines will see daylight shortly.

MP3: Menomena – Rotten Hell

Mines will see daylight on 7/27. It features:

1 QUEEN BLACK ACID
2 TAOS
3 KILLEMALL
4 DIRTY CARTOONS
5 TITHE
6 BOTE
7 LUNCHMEAT
8 OH PRETTY BOY, YOU’RE SUCH A BIG BOY
9 FIVE LITTLE ROOMS
10 SLEEPING BEAUTY
11 INTIL

Download ‘Five Little Rooms’ at their official site.

MP3: Menomena – Rotten Hell

Brace yourselves for Mines.

It’ll see daylight on 7/27.

Visit Menomena at their official site.

MP3: Menomena – Rotten Hell