aaamusic | On 04, Dec 2010

THE MEGAPHONIC THRIFT

‘Decay Decoy’ – The Debut Album, February 21st 2011

The Undertow – Talks Like A Weed King – Neues – Sister Joan – Candy Sin – You Saw The Silver Line – Dragon vs Dust – Mad Mary – Queen Of Noise

One of the most talked about acts at last year’s By:Larm Festival and with an already select band of fans following their ‘Thousand Years of Deconstruction’ EP release, The Megaphonic Thrift unveil their debut long player, ‘Decay Decoy’ on 21st February through Club AC30 Records.

Formed in Bergen, the epicentre of Norway’s music scene, in the autumn of 2007 by Richard Mykleburst following the dissolution of his previous act Stereo 21 with members of Casiokids and The Low Frequency In Stereo, the four piece developed from a vehicle for Richard’s songwriting into a more collaborative project during sessions for the album at Duper Studio in Bergen with all members utilising their multi-instrumental abilities to create songs from scratch. A further change to their past approach was forced upon them when a fire destroyed all their gear just before the start of the sessions; in reflection a positive outcome according to Richard as the ‘new pedals and new guitars made the recording even more experimental than before’.

The Megaphonic Thrift make a virtue of the kind of experimentalism within conventional song structures beloved of New York’s No Wave scene and the likes of Dinosaur Junior, My Bloody Valentine and more who followed in its wake. Lead single ‘Talks Like A Weed King’ marries this love of extreme guitar noise to a juggernaut size chorus but the album demonstrates an ability to know when to press overdrive and when to relent with the likes of ‘Sister Joan’ being propelled by a motorik rhythm which hints at the band’s love of Can and Faust alongside those more obvious influences. The ethos of The Megaphonic Thrift goes beyond the music with renowned Norwegian designer Benedicte Vage collaborating with the band on all their visual art since their inception.

One listen to the album will explain why The Fly summed their appeal thus, ‘it’s a struggle to recall a band more fragmentary and frazzled since early, melting-before-your-eyes-era Mercury Rev’ which sounds like high praise to our ears. The Megaphonic Thrift will return to UK shores in 2011 for shows around the album, more details to follow soon.

‘Decay Decoy’ is released via Club AC30 Records on 21st February on Cd and digital download.