New Track from Menomena!

Hot off the heels of our post about Helio Sequence's new track "Converter" comes "Five Little Rooms" from Menomena. This is relative because despite being just label-mates, the two Portland bands are good friends and the b-side "Converter" was released as a split 7" with a Menomena's b-side "Pilgrim's Progress". This new single, "Five Little Rooms", comes as well-timed hype for the July 27th release of Menomena's new record Mines on Barsuk Records. Details of the release came from drummer Danny Seim himself over on the band's website. Danny gives us the facts about the song:

Here are five little facts about "Five Little Rooms" 

1.It's the ninth track on our new album

2.It started out as one song a few years ago and ended up an entirely different song a few     months ago

3. It prominently features the words "prostitute", "children", "hung", "bridegroom", "suburban" and "mcdonalds" (we're edgy now, haven't you heard?)

4. It was the last song to be chosen for the new record, which, in our perverted world, somehow makes it the most appropriate choice for the first single

5. It's either the best or the worst song we've ever written; you decide!

Well I wouldn't say it's either the best or the worst, Danny. Certainly not as addicting as their biggest hit "Wet and Rusting", the track does highlight the breadth of Menomena's sonic capability. Employing a number of instrumental voices, from saxophones to kazoos, you have to give props to the band for crafting something that still works despite being so eclectic. Give the song a listen below and download it for free if you like.

Menomena - "Five Little Rooms"

Block Art by Johan Theeuwes

Illustrations by Johan Theeuwes on 40cm x 40cm blocks. The idea is that each block can be played with to make up your own story. These would be fun to have in your house for people to get clever with. Kind of like magnetic poetry, but more visually appealing. Either way each panel itself is a great image in its own right. Anybody come up with a story of their own?

A new track from Helio Sequence

Like Blur, The Helio Sequence released a new track back on Record Store Day. Somehow I missed it, but that doesn't mean it's any less awesome. Reportedly a b-side off their forthcoming unnamed album, the song is called "Converter". No definite release date, but with the band's last release, the wonderful Keep Your Eyes Ahead in 2008, this track is quite a teaser to salivating fans and one that indicates we will probably be hearing the single sometime this fall, if not summer. Featuring the floating vocals and oscillating melodies of Brandon Summers and machine-like rhythm backing from Benjamin Weikel, "Converter" is what we've come to expect from The Helio sequence. Perhaps a sign that the band won't completely buck their sound like some bands this year. Take that how you will, but in this case, I'd be more than pleased to hear the band continue moving in a lateral direction. Keep Your Eyes Ahead was so good, they could probably release it in reverse and call it their new album and I would still love it. In this new song Summers says "We won't wait for justice" - no we won't, but we will certainly be waiting for their next release. 

The Helio Sequence - "Converter"