The Mae Shi - HLLLYH (2008)

I passed over this album when it came out, not being impressed until watching a clip of them performing their single "Run to Your Grave." The song, which is one of the more tuneful ones here, has a catchy melody sung by what sounds like the entire band. The whole song has an anthemic feel. The electronics that dot the album add color to it and sound like they were lifted from an old video game. The vocals and the use of electronics rescue the album from falling into a sort, it's a very exciting listen. You get the sense they're comfortable trying anything and that they can have a lot of fun with whatever they do, even when singing about holy wars. Much of the album is in the same style of "Run to Your Grave," with the exception of "Kingdom Come" an 11-minute techno remix of all the other songs on the album. Now it takes very close listening to actually hear that this song is borrowing melodies and rhythms from other songs. On first listen it might appear to be an 11-minute electronic medley, and it's a good one that somehow manages not to disrupt the flow of the album. Overall, this is quite a good album. Some songs are a bit stronger than others, but they have a really good sound and the band sounds like they play well together. My favorites are: "Lamb and the Lion," "7xx7," "Run to Your Grave," "I Get (Almost) Everything I Want," and "Divine Harvest." Unfortunately the future of the band is in question as two members left to form "Signals" and the other two plan to continue as The Mae Shi. LISTEN

1. Lamb and the Lion (2:24)
2. Pwnd (2:49)
3. Boys in the Attic (1:25)
4. 7xx7 (2:03)
5. The Melody (2:18)
6. Leech and Locust (2:45)
7. Run to Your Grave (3:53)
8. Kingdom Come (11:37)
9. I Get (Almost) Everything I Want (3:44)
10. Party Politics (2:14)
11. Young Marks (2:06)
12. Book of Numbers (1:56)
13. HLLLYH (4:56)
14. Divine Harvest (2:13)