Mum - They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded
[FatCat]

Icelandic troupe Múm really need no introduction, following the release of some excellent album material in “Summer Make Good” (read our review) and the effervescent “Yesterday Was Dramatic – Today Is OK”. “Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy” is their first album release in over three years and such news should get even the most hardened cynic excited.

It’s a shame then that said album leaked across the web months ago followed by some vitriolic criticisms of the band’s supposed new direction. Resisting the temptation to illegally download this release, “They Made Frogs Smoke ‘Til They Explode” is my first experience with the fruits of their labours and I have to agree Múm are not entirely convincing here.

“They Made Frogs Smoke ‘Til They Explode” at times resembles the sounds of a broken Gameboy, with endless bleeps, splurts and crackles intercepting the mix. It seems half-baked, half-hearted and full of half-formed ideas. Superfluous film and radio excerpts are spliced onto a vaguely alluring vocal arrangement and crisp, lightweight beats. Surely losing a member (Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir was admittedly an integral part of Múm’s make-up) could not have had such a detrimental affect on their overall sound?

But the first single from “Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy” retains little of the charm or imagination that features on Múm classics of yesteryear. It’s a rather disappointing return that provides more questions, than answers. It’s not so much a case of back to the drawing board for Múm, but let’s hope we’ll find some of those elusive answers on their forthcoming new album.

7" Track Listing:

A. They Made Frogs Smoke Til They Exploded
B. The Amateur Show