[rating=4.50]
Menomena bang out songs like they are exorcizing demons. The Portland-based trio ignites fires beneath hook-ready compositions, adding melodic tension to their auditory experimentation. Friend and Foe, the band’s sophomore release, manages to maintain an explosive urgency within accessible throwdowns; Danny Seim’s raging vocals recall TV on the Radio, while the music maintains a more concise personality. “Muscle’n Flo” is a percussive, bass driven manage, boasting warm slide runs and an airy mix. “Wet and Rusting” finds its hook in an ascending piano riff above manic drumming, just as “My, My” derives its charm from an acoustic-picked cycle. Friend and Foe is a complete package; a well-versed and dynamic collection that defines the range and talent of Menomena.
