Múm - Aladdin Theater (Portland, OR; Nov. 4, 2009)

text: Josh Kincaid / photos: Josh Kincaid

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Who here has heard of Múm? Clearly many Portlanders, as evidenced by the packed Aladdin Theater Wednesday night. And for good reason.

Mum’s show at the Aladdin marked a rare live performance of their native Iceland (and Europe). Formed in 1997, Mum hasn’t stopped composing new and inspiring psychedelic, electronic, funky, unusual, special-effects tunes since. Simply put, they are a group of born musicians with innate capabilities to compose. They have fun experimenting with all possible sounds traditional instruments can possibly utter, as well as unconventional, often times, custom-made instruments. All mashed up and combined with amazingly angelic soft voices and a passion that can be felt when listening to them, and watching them, live on stage.

The audience was mesmerized. I had assumed it would be a seated show. A show during which people would comfortably sit and calmly listen. Instead, it seems like no one had the audacity to relax on their seats! No dancing, no mosh-pit, no drama. Just simple, respectful, standing reverence towards their truly hypnotizing music.

Their latest release, Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know, was released this past August via download through Gogoyoko. I encourage you to get the album and look at our photos here on melophobe while the album is playing in the background. You will not be disappointed.

DOWNLOAD: Múm - Hullaballabalu (MP3) or Follow us for more Múm MP3s (Twitter)

Múm review to your liking? You'll sweat:

3 comments thus far ...

  1. 1Colin Tue Nov 10, 2009 | 07:02 pm

    love the color in these pictures

  1. 2josh Tue Nov 10, 2009 | 07:13 pm

    agreed. these are perhaps the most exciting photos i’ve seen from a show at the aladdin.

  1. 3Alice Falzone Wed Nov 11, 2009 | 11:48 am

    A M A Z I N G photography here, josh! the passion is obvious. LOVE it!

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Avey Tare was in attendance, along with Angel from Dirty Projectors.

by David on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 08.35 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)

Good catch, oh masked marvel.

by Ari Sommer on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.42 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)

St. Sincent...ha.

by anonymous on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.04 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)

Aan was amazing.

by jarrod on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.02 pm from the entry: Blue Horns + Morning Teleportation + Aan - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR Jan. 30, 2010)

I’d like to clarify that for this show they cut off the back half of Neumo’s floor with a curtain and had the upstairs bar closed. It made Neumo’s obviously seem much smaller than it is. Unfortunately, now having seen Neumo’s fully open at another show I can say that this show was very empty. Still White Denim and Brazos rocked.

by Chris on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.57 am from the entry: White Denim + Brazos - Neumos (Seattle, WA; Jan. 24, 2010)

I agree, it’s very good. Way to deflate their balloon.

by colin on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.03 am from the entry: Third Annual Portland Music Awards - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jan. 28, 2010)

Love the photos. And that “Walkabout” song is the drugs.

by Beth Doreian on Sun Feb 7, 2010 at 01.14 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)

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