Best Albums of 2009: #16, Mew's No More Stories...

Rank: #16

Album: No More Stories...

Artist: Mew

Label: Sony

Though the beginning of the title of Mew's latest album, No More Stories..., implies an explicit lack of storytelling, nothing could be farther from the truth. The album is an epic in every sense, building up, meeting controversy and then the eventual victory. The band's most beautiful arrangements are continually met with a new pop sensibility, and even after one listen, the results are hard to argue with. It's a true tale of triumph, even if never expressly stated in words. Most statements on No More Stories... are made by the music playing to itself in the background, or as it ends up being in most sections, the forefront.

As much as No More Stories... could easily play as an instrumental piece, lead singer Jonas Bjerre's powerful falsetto acts an equally important piece of the puzzle. It displays contrast, the strength our main character will sometimes experience, and the hardship he sometimes must overcome. It is, in essence, a happy album, but its introspective points, specifically on "New Terrain" and "Beach" are what sets it aside from any similarly-laid out work. As much as the band denies creating a suite, the music's epic, dynamic nature mixed with superior arrangement, does lend to that effect. This of course, is all in the context of a more rock-oriented release however, so the experience becomes less about endurance, and more enjoying each fleeting blend of pop and prog rock in the moment. Even clocking in at nearly an hour though, it's well-worth every second.

Best Track: "Repeaterbeater" (via Pitchfork)

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best Albums of 2009: #17, Dan Deacon's Bromst]

Best Songs of 2009: #11-20

It's the homestretch of our countdown of the 50 best songs of 2009. Surely you'll be able to find a favorite or two of yours amongst the collection of tracks we've assembled. If not, sorry to hear it, but give the following a good listen.

20. "Die Slow" -- HEALTH (stream via Pitchfork)

19. "Vacationing People" -- Foreign Born (via Pitchfork)

18. "The Girl and the Robot" -- Röyksopp

17. "Wilco (The Song)" -- Wilco

16. "Repeaterbeater" -- Mew (via Pitchfork)

15. "What Would I Want? Sky" -- Animal Collective

14. "Stillness Is the Move" -- Dirty Projectors (via Pitchfork)

13. "Life In Marvelous Times" -- Mos Def

12. "While You Wait For the Others" -- Grizzly Bear

11. "Pretty Girls (Feat. Gucci Mane)" -- Wale

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best Songs of 2009: #21-30]

Music Video Monday: "Comforting Sounds"

Track: Comforting Sounds

Artist: Mew

Album: Frengers

Year: 2003

As visually intriguing as the video for Mew's "Comforting Sounds" is, to me, it more lends itself to thoughts of what this video could have possibly meant for the band's career if things had worked out differently. If released today, what would the effect have been on the Danish band, and why didn't it happen that way?

The song, off of 2003's Frengers, is the epic closer on what many refer to as the band's best effort to-date. Soaring through spacious and sprawling solos, the music is emotional and in many ways functions as the perfect end to the effort as a whole. As a stand-alone track, its ongoing crescendo is a focal point of its appeal, and what drives the song to its triumphant conclusion. The video is basic-- just a simple representation of what (symbolically) makes the human body function, followed by some power chords, but that's where it draws its strength from. By lacking unnecessary details, it brings better attention to the music itself, in a focused statement.

If "Comforting Sounds" had come out today, there's no doubt it would have vaulted Mew from their current marginal fame to a stratosphere few alternative artists currently occupy. Here, their similarities to the likes of Coldplay and Snow Patrol are uncanny, yet Mew accomplishes the aesthetic so much better. The music reaches emotional high points, but ones that are artistically motivating and honest, and lack that sort of mainstream, Grey's Anatomy appeal to turn it into a breakout hit amongst everyone age 18-40. So, I guess, for the most part, thank God that didn't happen, otherwise I'd hate the track instead. To make your own judgement call though, check it out below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: New Mew Video: "Repeaterbeater"]

New Mew Video, "Repeaterbeater"

Mew brings the eccentric pop of No More Stories... to visualization with "Repeaterbeater." The song is brash and desperate, and the characteristics are caught so much in the video that it's hard to look away. The band appears in fits of anxiety attacks, and the total shock that accompanies them. The nerve-wracking mood and ambience of the video fits perfectly, as the shifting neuroses of the characters reaches full tilt by the end. Trust me, you'll be intrigued. Check it out below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Tuesday's Releases (8/25): Now Streaming]

Tuesday's Releases (8/25): Now Streaming

For those who've been wondering where we've been lately, see a lethal combination of vacation, work and tying up some loose ends. Now, though, we're behind all of that-- sort of. Please bear with us as we ease back into our normal schedule over the next week or so. To kick off that re-adjustment is this week's releases, streaming across the interwebs (but mostly on Spinner) for your enjoyment before buying. As always, credit for the original idea goes out to LargeHeartedBoy.

• Aim and Ignite, fun.
• No More Stories..., Mew
• Black River Killer EP, Blitzen Trapper (via Lala.com)
• Ellipse, Imogen Heap
• Youth, Matisyahu