Product Description

The 2000 debut album by electronic pop outfit Mum was remastered and re-released in 2005. YESTERDAY IS DRAMATIC, TODAY IS OKAY is even better with its improved sound, an impressive feat given that it was already as sophisticated, layered, and distinctive as the band's subsequent albums. It leads one to wonder just how Mum managed to spring fully formed fromthe womb of their native Iceland. The cast for Mum's futuristic digital lullabies is set here, with plenty of IDM murmuring overlaid with inventive instrumentation and vocalizing by the band's twin female singers. Melancholic, contemplative, and strikingly beautiful, YESTERDAY WAS DRAMATIC is a fine effort from one of the most innovative and enjoyable bandson the electronica scene.

Track Listing

1. I'm 9 Today
2. Smell Memory
3. There Is A Number Of Small Things
4. Random Summer
5. Asleep On A Train
6. Awake On A Train
7. Ballad Of The Broken Birdie Records
8. Ballad Of The Broken String
9. Sunday Night Just Keeps On Rolling
10. Slow Bicycle

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22403 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording remastered, Import
• Dimensions: .11 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Mum are two men and two women (twins, actually) from Iceland who seem out to prove that not every musician in their country is somewhat insane. Perfectly ordinary (or so they'd like us to believe), mum makes perfectly... well, perfect songs constructed from electronic melodies and rhythms: think Looper as played by Aphex Twin, or the Close Encounters theme music as re-imagined by Neutral Milk Hotel. Yesterday was Dramatic--Today is OK is 15-songs-strong of music of indescribable wonder; while other artists plum the depths of love, mum somehow put together "I'm 9 Today", with all of the joy and curiosity, simplicity and burgeoning complexity that the subject demands. The companion pieces "Asleep on a Train" and "Awake on a Train" are triumphantly recognisable as such, and "Slow Bicycle" is the musical equivalent of American Beauty's shopping bag blowing in the wind. Though they might protest at the compliment, múm are very special indeed: that rare group possessed of the ability to find perfect beauty in the mundane--and to reveal it to the rest of us. -Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

Wonderful
I found this album about 3-4 years ago in an HMV in Chelmsford. I had been interested in Múm for awhile and heard of a 'hard to get a-hold of' first album and here it was. On the train ride home in June, a haze lulling the fields in the sunset was the perfect backdrop to this album.

Complex rhythms on old drum machines, whirring synths and sharp analog bells and the first mutterings of the lead singer amongst beautifully structured, jewelery box nostalgia, brought to you for about £6 less than I paid back in that summery twilight. If you're a fan of Múm or innate, beautiful music, do yourself a favour: buy this album, meet up with a loved one and sample it's childlike majesty again and again.

Sparkling, gorgeous, ecstatic
Never heard of Mum? Nah, I hadn't either. Don't let that stop you snapping up this lovely album straight away.

Imagine the complex beat cut-ups of Autechre, the childlike noises of Aphex Twin, the warm atmospherics of Boards of Canada, and the twinkling wonder of Bjork all stirred together. Nice huh?

This is a gem of a record. Sublime melodic complexity, fascinating skittering sound, and all very mellow. It's darn hard to put your finger on exactly why it's so good, you just have to listen.

Excellent debut album
As a fan of all types of electronic music, I first came across Mum when I purchased "We Are Glitter" (an album of remixes) by Goldfrapp. Two of it's tracks; "You Never Know" and "Number 1" were remixed by Mum and were given a totally new sound which I loved (Especially "Number 1" - fans of Mum or Goldfrapp must check this remix out!) So, I googled Mum and found that they had already released four albums and a number of EPs. I Went to HMV the next day and purchased "Yesterday Was Dramatic - Today Is Ok".

I didn't really get into it initially. Not that I'm saying I didn't like it because I did. I just found it a bit hard to listen to as it is very minimal and "light" and there isn't any conventional structure to these songs. I did listen to this album regularly as background music and found it quite relaxing and stimulating at the same time.

A month has passed and I'm now so in love with this album. I was alone at work today (it's a Saturday) and therefore could play what I wanted to hear. I listened to this entire album on repeat ALL day and really got the chance to listen to it properly in it's entirety. It really is a beautiful, charismatic, and atmospheric album. it really does make me feel alive and positive. It puts me in a very good mood.

If you enjoy, calm, tranquil, relaxing music and/or electronic music this is definitely recommended. It's hard to define this music. I guess it's got a "modern folk" sound that is mainly made of electronics. Very small, "insecty", gentle beats with some traditional instruments added for some tracks. Don't expect someting you can dance to (unless you're a bit of a hippy and plan to dance around the fire with your friends or something, he he, that actually sounds like fun) or play to your friends at a party (most people will not appreciate this music - unless they're deep thinkers or open minded, "arty" people). If you liked the instrumentation on Bjork's "Vespertine" you should love this album as much as I do.

If you do get this album and are initially dissappointed, just keep listening to it and try to really LISTEN. Light candles, burn some incense, put headphones on and listen to this with your eyes closed is what I'd suggest. And try listening to it when youre in a calm mood too.

I've just ordered Mum's second album "Finally We Are No One" and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like!

Hope my review helped (",)