Why are you looking so grave?

Encompassing the best aspects of progressive experimentalism with masterful songwriting, 'Why are you looking so grave?' rears its head as a brooding, distorted verse. This seamlessly reconciles itself to an ethereal chorus that marries Mew's signature helium tones with those of the tender but gravelly J. Mascis of Dinosaur Juniors.

'Why are you looking so grave?' is a ballad masterfully dressed in operatic attire. The frankly hideous record sleeve (a mouth in a mouth, in a mouth, in a mouth) is an apt symbol of Mew's talent for magnifying a sweet and often simple sentiment in to such a scale that vertigo threatens to ensue. As they prove on their delicately finger picked 'kissing hoodie acoustic mix', once the progressive rhythms, effects and distortion are stripped away, even in its most skeletal form, Mew's melodies are as stunning as their lyrics are understated (though often obscure).

With any luck, the attentions of Mogwai in their 'Miow mix' will be a sufficient endorsement for Mew to be acknowledged as a European band to able rival the Mars Volta as ambassadors for progressive music.

 

 

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Thu, 18/06/2009 - 10:31 — Admin