Friend and Foe

Following through on the potential of their outstanding debut, I Am the Fun Blame Monster, Portland, Ore.-based Menomena craft beautifully arranged modular pop out of improvised loops, creating the first great indie rock record of the new year.

In spite of its painstaking construction, Menomena's debut, I Am The Fun Blame Monster!, felt kind of flippant, as if the band put more elbow grease into building melodies than prying open its own soul. That wasn't a bad thing, though: Blame Monster was moody enough without getting tripped up in heartstrings. But on…

Menomena emerged in 2003 with a scattershot smattering of almost everything that could go right with indie rock.

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Album Reviews: Menomena - Friend And Foe