Serena Maneesh
Empty Bottle in Chicago 3/11/6
Wow. Serena Maneesh from Oslo, Norway are probably the most intense band I have seen in long time. They play their instruments as if their very lives depended on it. I’ve been listening to their self titled album now for a couple of days since I bought it at the show and I am enjoying it overall, although I definitely have my favorites. I find it to vary tremendously from being full on psycho rock (that probably isn’t technically a genre) with the main melodies giving way into soaring guitar effects on “BeeHiver II” and “Simplicity” to being almost ethereal shoegaze music that reminded me how I feel when I listen to The Pale Saints on “Don’t Come Down Here.” Other songs on their album fit the comparisons people have made to My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain , such as the opening track, “Drain Cosmetics” and “Un-Deux.” Perhaps my favorite song on their album is on the track: “Her Name is Suicide,” in which Lina Holmström sings the most gorgeous vocals that remind one of something fragile and memorable like the light in an overexposed picture. The album also ends on a really beautiful note with “Your Blood in Mine” being a calming hush of closure with the piano really coming out in the mix.
Although it might be difficult to find their album in North America without going to the shows, you can hear songs on their myspace page
As much as I enjoy listening to some of those tracks on their self titled album, I have to say that I enjoy them live even more. To be certain, the amazing violin playing of Eivind Schou was more prominent live than on album. Even my least favorite songs on their album just hit me with such awe filling intensity. It’s music at its most powerful to be sure. Go here to see tour dates. You won’t be disappointed.
Click the title of the blog post or more to see additional pictures from their live set at the Empty Bottle.
March 16th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
I was definitely a bit disappointed in Serena Maneesh’s set at Mercury Lounge back in January, but it sounds like they have it more together now from recent reviews that I’ve read. And yes, they were intense, but too many songs were unrecognizable and there was a bit too much jamming for my taste. On the other hand, their album (which is getting a North American release soon) is absolutely terrific.
March 16th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
I actually liked their live set better than their album although the tracks I love on the album, as is probably obvious from what I wrote, are ones I really really love. There’s a point for me when there can be too much guitar chaos on an album but live that comes off as more awe inspiring and powerful somehow. Also, I felt bad because I bought the very last album they had for sale on sat night. Still, I am glad for them that they are selling maybe more than expected on this tour.