Menomena

The Profile

Menomena is an American indie/experimental rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2000 by Brent Knopf, Danny Seim, and Justin Harris. Known for loop-driven, multi-instrumental songwriting and inventive arrangements, they released I Am the Fun Blame Monster! (2003), Friend and Foe (2007), Mines (2010), and Moms (2012).

Portland trio of multi-instrumentalists; Friend and Foe recorded for Barsuk with artwork by Craig Thompson; praised for varied, hook-filled arrangements with sax, piano, and percussive drive.

Three DeBaser reviews paint Menomena as a crafty Portland trio of multi-instrumentalists blending quirky pop with syncopated indie rock. Friend and Foe (Barsuk) dazzles with Craig Thompson’s artwork and shape-shifting arrangements; Mines refines their palette with hooks, sax, and rhythmic twists. I Am the Fun Blame Monster! channels the spark of Flaming Lips/Grandaddy/Sparklehorse while keeping electronics tasteful. A mild gripe: variety and length can blur their identity over a 55-minute stretch.