Who here has heard of Múm? Clearly many Portlanders, as evidenced by the packed Aladdin Theater Wednesday night. And for good reason.
Mum's show at the Aladdin marked a rare live performance of their native Iceland (and Europe). Formed in 1997, Mum hasn't stopped composing new and inspiring psychedelic, electronic, funky, unusual, special-effects tunes since. Simply put, they are a group of born musicians with innate capabilities to compose. They have fun experimenting with all possible sounds traditional instruments can possibly utter, as well as unconventional, often times, custom-made instruments. All mashed up and combined with amazingly angelic soft voices and a passion that can be felt when listening to them, and watching them, live on stage.
The audience was mesmerized. I had assumed it would be a seated show. A show during which people would comfortably sit and calmly listen. Instead, it seems like no one had the audacity to relax on their seats! No dancing, no mosh-pit, no drama. Just simple, respectful, standing reverence towards their truly hypnotizing music.
Their latest release, Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know, was released this past August via download through Gogoyoko. I encourage you to get the album and look at our photos here on melophobe while the album is playing in the background. You will not be disappointed.
