Note: Ramona Falls is a solo project from Menonema’s Brent Knopf. His more well-known band’s last release was the excellent Friend and Foe (my #2 Album of 2007).
Sound: At their root, most of the songs on here feature Brent’s forlorn and fluid vocals over a pretty combination of acoustic guitar chords and piano melodies. But—if you know anything about Menomena—there’s no way he could just stop there. Nearly every track has several more layers that build up and dissipate – including dramatic strings and horns, shimmering mandolin, cascading piano, fuzzy bass, ferocious electric guitar, floating synths, echo-laden harmonies…and more.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “I Say Fever”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Melectric”; “Bellyfulla”; “Diamond Shovel”; “Salt Sack”
Recommended: Intuit isn’t nearly as stunning and memorable as the last Menomena album, but it’s almost as creative and ambitious. Menomena members are strongest as a unit, but pretty darn good on their own (Brent’s bandmate Danny Seim released a decent album last year under the moniker Lackthereof).
Grade: B+

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