Track Listing

1. Am I Wry? No
2. 156
3. Snow Brigade
4. Symmetry
5. Behind the Drapes
6. Her Voice Is Beyond Her Years
7. Eight Flew Over, One was Destroyed
8. She Came Home for Christmas
9. She Spider
10. Comforting Sounds

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15870 in Music
• Released on: 2003-04-07
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even the title of the first track of Mew's debut album, Frengers, is a statement of intent of sorts. They may ask "Am I Wry?" but listen closely and it's obvious that being "wry" is something Mew just don't do. Frengers is not an ironic album in any sense of the word; it's an authentic and heartfelt record which has seen the young Danes compared to Mercury Rev or Sigur Ros after releasing only a couple of singles. The comparisons aren't that wide of the mark either: there are occasional touches of the epic in the lush, slow-burning "Symmetry" with Stina Nordenstam and in "Comforting Sounds", which really ought to be overlong at nearly nine minutes but far from outstays its welcome. Other tracks, such as "Am I Wry? No" or "Behind the Drapes", with its plaintive chorus "Why are we so alone, even in company?", are more straightforward, borrowing heavily from American college rock bands like Superchunk. Frengers delivers on its promise of a passionate and occasionally breathtaking album that it's very hard to be wry about. --Chris Blenkarn

CD Description
Originally issued in 2003, FRENGERS marks the internationaldebut of the Danish alternative-rock band Mew. Led by emotive frontman Jonas Bjerre, the group offers up a compelling, guitar-driven mix of energy and atmosphere on this 10-song outing, drawing from both early-1990s shoegazer bands (Ride, Catherine Wheel) and their more mainstream counterparts (Smashing Pumpkins), as best revealed on the soaring "156" and the upbeat yet contemplative "Her Voice Is Beyond Her Years",which features Stina Nordenstam on vocals. Mew would expandon the heavier elements of FRENGERS on the subsequent AND THE GLASS HANDED KITES, an album that garnered the ensemble even more attention and acclaim.

Customer Reviews

Glorious, melodic atmosphere
The title of my review says it all - let the soundscapes and atmosphere of this fantastic album sweep over you and I promise the results will leave you feeling as you have stepped from a freezing cold wasteland into a candle-lit log cabin in the middle of a forest, where a sumptuous feast awaits with the finest wine .....

A little over the top ? Perhaps, but I have been listening to Mew for several months now after seeing them live with Martin Gretch in Manchester. I had no idea who Mew were, but live they were absolutely riveting. I went away thinking I had heard something special. When I finally got 'Frengers' I was still uncertain, had I drunk too much at the concert ?, was I swept up in the occasion ?

All my doubts were blown away from the first power chords of 'Am I Wry? No' through to the final single chord ending of 'Comforting Sounds'. Not a weak track, each one with a quirk of it's own, whether it's the mysterious chants of '156' during the same-titled song, the haunting 'Symmetry', or the incredibly catchy and moving 'She Came Home for Christmas' - each track soars into your head and heart.

I would also say Mew are best listened to now, at this time of year (Autumn-going into winter) - there is an edge of melancholy and mood that suits the falling leaves, the dark nights, the gathering storm, yet it still uplifts and enlights.

A recommendation to buy ? You bet ....!

Something different, something Mew
In the constant search to try and find some decent music amongst today's dross, it's very refreshing when you can truly say I've found something worth your attention. I first heard about 'Mew' when the NME had their 9 minute epic 'Comforting Sounds' as single of the week plus their reference to the superb 'Mercury Rev' kind of swayed it for me.

Having failed to find the CD single in my local manufactured plastic pop serving music store I decided to buy the album, 'Frengers' (not quite friends but not quite strangers).

With sounds that eclipse their years, this album is something to shout about, 'Mew' are five Danes who have produced a 10 track debut album of epic proportions and worthy of all accolades given to them by the music monthly's. 'Frengers' kicks off with three uplifting tracks, mixing pop rock with superb indie guitar hooks thrown in for good measure. Track four 'Symmetry' is a slow piano based ballad that has one of the most haunting and saddest of choruses that any sad song has ever had to offer. 'Her voice is beyond her years' features the vocal talent that is Stina Nordamstan, a track that for me resembles the sounds of 'The Wannadies', the most indie sounding track on the album. At that point you start to realise 'Mew' have allot to offer, without sounding pretentious they are deep in depth and who aren't afraid to experiment with sounds and vocals. The whole album builds up nicely to its finale, 'Comforting Sounds', 8 minutes 53 seconds of pure genius, the track kind of reminded me of sounds from Grandaddy's 'Software Slump'. Lets face it 'Mew' just like the similar sounding and equally brilliant 'Electric Soft Parade' are never going to take over the world and dominate any music awards because todays music unfortunately caters for the masses. An industry that relies on 7-15 year olds to shift 'units', would distance themselves from all bands like 'Mew' who dare to be a little different.

'Frengers' is layerd and textured with wonderful sounds and allot more complex than their indie-ish opener 'Am I Wry?No' would have you believe. If you want comparisons then you would have to compare them with mixtures (not direct influences) of 'The Delgados' , 'Mercury Rev', 'Sigur Ros', 'Electric Soft Parade' & 'JJ72' for lead singer Bjerre's young sounding girlish voice. It's unfair to 'Mew' to say they have directly gone out to sound anything like all of the above as they are just as unique and talented as them all.

'Ferengers' is a highly recommended debut album that will sound just as fresh in a few years as first listen, don't delay.. go out, grab a copy and enjoy.

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful
This album is quite simply brilliant. It shines alongside the brightest stars in the musical sky. These songs contain turns of boldness, driving riffs, massive harmonies, blissfully crossed rhythms between drums and guitars, haunting vocals, and the feeling that you've stumbled across something that you'll have for life - with a smile on your face. If you want to turn the effect of this album into an even bigger musical experience check these guys out live, you won't be disappointed. Do yourself a favour and part with a tenner for this gorgeous work of art.