Mitchell Museum
Hmm, whilst researching yesterday’s mammoth ‘What’s On In Edinburgh post, which seems to have turned into a ‘What’s Wrong With Frightened Rabbit’ post, I happened across these chaps, whose name I have heard before but about whom I know basically nothing.
They are called Mitchell Museum and I am pretty sure they just changed their name from something else, although I’m not entirely sure. Whether or not the band changed at the same time I have no idea, but what they’re doing now is whetting my appetite so it seems to be working.
The first song I heard on their MySpace was Warning Bells, which is basically mid-90s Britpop – well done, but unexceptional. Having made yet another rash snap-judgment I accidentally forgot to close the browser window as I finished my review and let the rest of the songs play out; and a bloody good thing too. Basically, the music seemed to get weirder and weirder and more and more interesting as I progressed down the playlist.
It may still have an undercurrent of 90s indie but, as NaeBother pointed out in the comments section, there’s a lot more to it than that. Extra Lives is just brilliant – stomping and infectious – and songs like Exciting But Drunk are less bouncy, but just as intriguing. There are a few accordions and other ‘instruments’, but largely this is a sound dominated by oddtronica, interrupted regularly by thumping, spasmodic outbursts of drum and guitar mentalism.
Definitely one I shall be keeping an eye on, hopefully starting this weekend.
Mitchell Museum – Exciting But Drunk
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I’m pleased you liked… made my day. Go See, They put on a weird show, and it will make you feel old… be warned.
I’ll be along on Friday – unless the wife forbids it. Fuck, I feel old already. Bastards.
Interesting take on them….But if you are going on friday? It will be very interesting to hear what your comments are then,if you think their myspace is mental? Live they are even more so!!
By the way they are on Marc Riley on BBC6 music tonight, live in session ,Wed 10th at 7pm-9pm
Well it’s difficult to say much about a band until you’ve seen them live, so you’re right, I should hold fire until I can really judge a little better. Mind you HP who puts on This is Music is a pretty good judge, so if he reckons they’re good enough to put on the bill then I think it is quite probable that I will like them. Nevertheless, it will be an interesting gig, I haven’t heard much new stuff for a while, so I’m looking forward to it.
I think you will probably enjoy it. It should be a good night.
I am not going to make it myself,too much rushing around.
It was your Brit pop comment that startled me. I never thought of them that way before,and I have known of them for quite a long time now.
If you look at their influences on myspace, I think you will probably find its more in line with West Coast America, and the likes of TMBG, Animal Collective,Flips etc
And to top up your edukation on them beforehand…. 2 of the band were in Afterchristmas before they broke up last year. There is still a afterchristmas page of sorts on myspace too I see.
The new band launched with two new members earlier this year.
Other than that, I can’t really say too much… other than I have seen them live a few times and in my opinion its a fun and energising experience.
P.s Weird is definitely fair comment ! lol
The Britpop comment comes from the first song on their MySpace. Warning Bells sounds like Britpop to me – Seahorses, Cast – anything just after the initial Oasis/Pulp/Blur explosion. In isolation it’s a decent track, but it’s a lot better in the context of their other stuff.
I found out the Afterchristmas stuff last night actually, because I was doing a bit of background research for my Fresh Air radio show. I think the new start seems more promising, frankly, without wishing to be mean about their previous stuff.
I think I am getting why you came to your initial conclusion now Matthew. and its interesting to look on it that way. I always think that everyone hears things differently from everyone else,and thats why its always good to hear different takes on what you think you are hearing.
I agree that the difference in lineup in forming the new band has had a very significant impact for them. Partially I think because the lineup now is very much in agreeement on where they are coming from musically. I don’t think this was always the case with the previous band. In fact I know that there were very different musical perspectives going on there. Also I think that this new band is much tighter musically and much more focussed on what they are about,and it shows!
However, there were some cracking tunes came out of Afterchristmas . Unfortunately myspace is not the medium to hear these any more.
Have a listen to Mr Tramp records compilation ” Off the beaten track” and the afterchristmas track “About Death” now that is weird and wonderful! In fact Manic would be a more apt description!
In fact as a compilation featuring frightened rabbit, beerjacket,martin john henry,galchen,skeleton bob etc its pretty damn good all round.