Menomena's three members are perfectionists in the studio, so it's no wonder their fourth full-length, Mines, was several years in the making. Based in Portland, Ore., the band has developed a complex, patchwork musical style as well as a reputation for creative, intricate packaging (the cover of Mines is a stereogram).
The band's compositional process involves a homemade computer program it calls "Deeler." The program is a digital looping tool that allows the band members to simultaneously collaborate on songs, mixing live instrumental riffs and piecing together musical ideas. The result on Mines is a collection of densely layered pieces of sound, replete with complex rhythms and instrumentation. The songs are slower and darker than previous tunes, but nevertheless are consistent with the band's level of technical sophistication.
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