Mew - ...and the Glass-Handed Kites

Mentioning Mew in the Kissaway Trail post last week got me all nostalgic for them. It feels like a long time since they released their last album, Mew and the Glass-Handed Kites, the second to be released over here (after Frengers, which was a kind of mini best-of, pulling together the highlights from their first two albums).

The album is, quite simply, nuts. It's the sort of record that not many people try to pull off any more, segueing seamlessly from track to track so it's almost like one long piece of music right through. I love the ambition of it, in that respect it's like one of my favourite records, Mansun's Six.

In spite of it's proggy leanings, it's extremely listenable. There are even some fairly poppy sections on the album (Special for example). It's peppered with gorgeous, spine tingling moments as well, where Jonas Bjerre's voice, which has to be heard to be believed can soar to incredible heights.

To fully appreciate how special Mew are, you need to see them live. They always make the show a feast for eyes as well as ears with their film projections. Hopefully when they get their next album out, they'll make it back over to Blighty, but in the meantime download this album and let the gorgeous insanity wash over you.

Download: Mew - Mew and the Glass-Handed Kites