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UMUR View Drop Down
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mew for inclusion on PA
    Posted: September 22 2008 at 10:22

I would like to suggest the Danish pop/rock band Mew for inclusion in the crossover catagory on PA. Now I know suggestions for this catagory are always considered to be controversial because most bands in the catagory are only slightly progressive. Bands like Radiohead, Pineapple Thief and Muse who some people donīt think should be here have also created a fierce debate. Iīm of the exact opposite opinion as I think that anything with just a slight prog influence should be represented on PA in either the crossover or the prog-related catagory.

Mew belongs in the same catagory as the above mentioned bands which means that their music is pop/ rock with progressive tendencies.

Now when you listen to their music to evaluate if you think they should be added to PA I want you to listen to songs from the album that is called Mew and the Glass Handed Kites as that is the album from Mew that I think has most progressive tendencies. And donīt just listen to the hits. Listen to the whole album and Iīm sure youīll agree that Mew belongs here on PA.

Let me list some of the things that I feel makes Mew worthy for inclusion on PA:

1. On Mew and the Glass Handed Kites all songs seque into each other to form a

sort a concept album.

2. Lots of time signature changes both in the instrumentation and the vocal

melodies.

3. Beautiful symphonic sections

4. An original and distinct lead singer

I hope to see lots of comments and especially comments from the crossover team would be very welcome.

Mewīs official homepage: http://www.mewsite.com/

You can find links on the homepage to Mewīs myspace and Mew on YouTube.

With kind regards

UMUR

 
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Dean View Drop Down
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 22 2008 at 21:19
Mew are on my "hold" list - we have evaluated and rejected them in the past, but accept that they are on the fringes of  Prog we so haven't lost sight of them completely. 
 
As you probably know, the Alt Prog/New Prog movement currently sits either side of the border between Crossover and Prog Related, and to my mind Mew is standing on that line. So, to be honest with you - I'm waiting to hear the new album to see if they have crossed the line into one or the other.
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UMUR View Drop Down
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 06:47
I canīt say that I agree that Mew donīt belong in the crossover catagory with bands like Radiohead, Pineapple Thief, Muse and The Dear Hunter or in the prog-related catagory with bands like Blackfield, Kingīs X or Mercury Rev.
 
If youīve listened to Mew and the Glass Handed Kites from start to finish youīll know that itīs a kind of concept album and then youīll probably notice the many time signature changes that Mew use in their songs. I ask you then: Do you not consider these features to be progressive ? Time signature changes in pop/ rock is not something you hear everyday on the radio and itīs not everyday that you hear commercial music with a concept. Many of the above mentioned bands donīt have progressive features that are that obvious but are still included on PA ( They deserve to be here, I donīt question that). I donīt see why you hesitate ?
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Points: 3083 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 11:33
Mew at this point is at LEAST prog-related. I think And the Glass Handed Kites is an indisputably progressive record. The textures and arrangements can't be anything else. The songs are loaded with polyrhythms, multi-part harmonies, rich atmospheres, non-conventional structures, etc. I think there needs to be a serious reconsideration.
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:40

As I said, I think they are borderline between the two - and I want them to be in Crossover, not Prog Related. Yes, we could add them to PR now, but I would prefer to wait for their next album (which I understand is imminent), I'm not convinced that Glass Handed Kites is a 100% Progressive Rock album, to me it is an Alt/Indie album with strong progressive tendencies that classify it as Art Rock in the broadest terms - which would make it eligible for Prog Related, but I have a gut-feel that it would be a poor category for them to be grouped into, especially if the continue to develop as they have been doing.

All the stylistic elements you state, eg time signature changes, do exist in Art Rock, but not all Art Rock is Progressive Rock as we define it here (or anywhere else come to that). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_rock#Relationship_with_progressive_rock)
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Points: 2819 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 13:45
Originally posted by Moatilliatta Moatilliatta wrote:

Mew at this point is at LEAST prog-related. I think And the Glass Handed Kites is an indisputably progressive record. The textures and arrangements can't be anything else. The songs are loaded with polyrhythms, multi-part harmonies, rich atmospheres, non-conventional structures, etc. I think there needs to be a serious reconsideration.


I fully agree with this statement. Again, how is that not progressive? I would like to see some of the bands put into a little alternative prog subsection, it's kind of hard to find some of those bands.
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 14:01
I donīt see why itīs neccesary to wait for their next album when Mew and the Glass Handed Kites more than qualifies for an inclusion in the crossover catagory, but I can see that youīre of a different opinionCry. Itīs too bad that there are not more people here on PA who knows about Mew. Iīm sure there would be a few more who would chose my side and make comments if there wereThumbs%20Up. Maybe thatīs wishful thinking but I really do believe that Mew would be a great addition to this siteHug.
 
I guess weīll have to wait for the new album to come outUnhappy. But be assured that I will bump up this thread the minute the new album hits the streets and expect an answerTongue.
 
With kind regards
 
UMUR
 
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Points: 15585 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 14:19
I'd certainly agree they have a place here.
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 14:25
Originally posted by ProgBagel ProgBagel wrote:

Originally posted by Moatilliatta Moatilliatta wrote:

Mew at this point is at LEAST prog-related. I think And the Glass Handed Kites is an indisputably progressive record. The textures and arrangements can't be anything else. The songs are loaded with polyrhythms, multi-part harmonies, rich atmospheres, non-conventional structures, etc. I think there needs to be a serious reconsideration.


I fully agree with this statement. Again, how is that not progressive? I would like to see some of the bands put into a little alternative prog subsection, it's kind of hard to find some of those bands.
I agree - which is why I don't believe that Prog Related is the ideal place for any of these bands.
 
Placing Alternative/Indie Rock bands who incorporate elements of Progressive Rock into existing PA subgenres leaves them scattered through the Archive; from Psyche/Space Rock (Oceansize, Bardo Pond), Heavy Prog (TMV), Crossover (The Deerhoof, The Dear Hunter, 3, PRR, Immune, Dredg), Prog Related (Muse, C&C, Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals) and Post Rock (*insert your own list here*Wink) and leaves a larger number outside the PA completely (Elysian Fields, Mystery Jets, Doves, etc.) - that hardly makes them easy to find.
 
When you consider that terms like New Prog, Nu Prog, Alt Prog, Post Prog and simply modern Art Rock have been thrown at these bands throughout the interweb, perhaps it is time to set the standard. Big%20smile
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 14:25
Originally posted by UMUR UMUR wrote:

I donīt see why itīs neccesary to wait for their next album when Mew and the Glass Handed Kites more than qualifies for an inclusion in the crossover catagory, but I can see that youīre of a different opinionCry. Itīs too bad that there are not more people here on PA who knows about Mew. Iīm sure there would be a few more who would chose my side and make comments if there wereThumbs%20Up. Maybe thatīs wishful thinking but I really do believe that Mew would be a great addition to this siteHug.
Happy reading UMUR:
Originally posted by UMUR UMUR wrote:

 
I guess weīll have to wait for the new album to come outUnhappy. But be assured that I will bump up this thread the minute the new album hits the streets and expect an answerTongue.
 
With kind regards
 
UMUR
 
I will too. Wink
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 15:29
Happy reading indeed. Glad to see that others agree with me that Mew does belong here.
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Points: 46838 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 16:20
interesting...  again... I'll wait for the new album... and Mew will be placed accordingly...
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Points: 2819 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 23 2008 at 23:16
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Originally posted by ProgBagel ProgBagel wrote:

Originally posted by Moatilliatta Moatilliatta wrote:

Mew at this point is at LEAST prog-related. I think And the Glass Handed Kites is an indisputably progressive record. The textures and arrangements can't be anything else. The songs are loaded with polyrhythms, multi-part harmonies, rich atmospheres, non-conventional structures, etc. I think there needs to be a serious reconsideration.
I fully agree with this statement. Again, how is that not progressive? I would like to see some of the bands put into a little alternative prog subsection, it's kind of hard to find some of those bands.

I agree - which is why I don't believe that Prog Related is the ideal place for any of these bands.

 

Placing Alternative/Indie Rock bands who incorporate elements of Progressive Rock into existing PA subgenres leaves them scattered through the Archive; from Psyche/Space Rock (Oceansize, Bardo Pond), Heavy Prog (TMV), Crossover (The Deerhoof, The Dear Hunter, 3, PRR, Immune, Dredg), Prog Related (Muse, C&C, Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals) and Post Rock (*insert your own list here*Wink) and leaves a larger number outside the PA completely (Elysian Fields, Mystery Jets, Doves, etc.) - that hardly makes them easy to find.

 

When you consider that terms like New Prog, Nu Prog, Alt Prog, Post Prog and simply modern Art Rock have been thrown at these bands throughout the interweb, perhaps it is time to set the standard. Big%20smile


100% agreed on every last word.
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UMUR View Drop Down
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 00:53
It seems that there is an agreement that Mew should be here. If you donīt have the intention of adding them yourselves please give me notice the minute they are cleared for addition and Iīll collect pictures, album info and create a bio. Iīve noticed that some bands on ProgFreak, who have been cleared for addition several years ago, are still not added which is a shame. Mew shall not suffer the same destiny if I have anything to say about itWink.
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Points: 1170 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 03:21
Love the band, but don't really see a place for them here. Then again, indie pop darlings The Decemberists are here...
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Points: 7028 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 04:34
Originally posted by Avantgardehead Avantgardehead wrote:

Love the band, but don't really see a place for them here. Then again, indie pop darlings The Decemberists are here...
 
I agree that Mew from what I have heard do not have a place here......Decemberists IMO a whole different ball game............Wink and deservedly are here.
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Points: 1170 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 05:23
^ They write long songs, yes, but it's still indie pop (which I love, BTW).

ANYWAY...

Same thing kind of goes for Mew. Once again, indie pop with some good ideas and a really good approach to songwriting. But not necessarily prog, in my mind.
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 06:05
Hi Chris
 
And what exactly have you heard ? which exact songs have you heard to evaluate Mew ?
 
And to you Avantgardehead: Indie pop ???? to me indie pop is stripped down/ garage bands with a deliberate lack of commercial potential. Mew is quite the opposite. A sophisticated pop/ rock band with beautiful, elaborate and clever arrangelments. Just because they have lots of commercial potential and that they are backed by a giant record company doesnīt mean that their music donīt belong here. Indie ??? NO NO NO.
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Points: 7028 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 06:45
^
Hi UMUR
 
As I said in my thread " From what I have heard....."
 
Their main site is down and I have only heard the four songs available off the myspace site. The beginning of Apocalypso signs proggy but goes very alternative or Indie as Avantegardhead says  afterwards as do all the other tracks. I gather they have a new album coming out but sorry from what I have heard off  myspace they do not fill the categoryUnhappy Clever POP indeed though.
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Points: 3073 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2008 at 08:09
Hi Chris
 
Listen to the whole album from an end and youīll probably find more progressive moments than the "hit" songs on Myspace as I also advised people to do in my introduction to the thread. The problem with suggesting bands on PA is that people only listen to what the bands present on their myspace site and that tends to be the most commercial material which means that itīs the material most prog heads wouldnīt find interesting. If you truly mean to evaluate a band I think itīs required that you listen to most of their discography or at the very least to what your fellow progheads suggest you should listen to. Until you have heard the whole album Mew and the Glass Handed Kites I donīt think your opinion is very valuable or valid for that matter ( donīt take this an offence, itīs just an opinion).
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