Pitchfork: New Múm Album, Single Expected In April

New Múm Album, Single Expected In April
Roger Waters already penning bitter, resentful album about them

[Updated Thursday, January 29th, 2004 04:00:00 Pitchfork Central Time]

Icelandic trio Múm have completed work on their new record, Summer Make Good, set for an April release via Fat Cat Records. According the stellar fansite múm:web, the album was written and recorded in two lighthouses in Iceland (in Galtarviti and Gardskagatá, respectively, if you must know). The recent report describes the sites as "spartan, magical locations-- isolated and surrounded by open seas and rugged landscape." These environs are said to penetrate the album, with the presence of "wind, creaking wood, and dripping water."

With the new album, Múm sought a more organic feel, manipulating sound with vintage speakers and amplifiers while relying less on digital trickery. Icelandic music outlet Bad Taste spoke with Múm's Gunnar Tynes, who said of the new direction, "We wanted to get dirty sound out of the tape machine and keep the music alive." Bad Taste also reportes that the record was mixed at Sigúr Ros' now-legendary 'swimming pool,' the indoor natatorium they converted into a studio-- removing the roof to install a mixing board in the process.

Múm were joined by a number of guest musicians for the album, including Orri Jonsson of the group Slowblown and musicians Eirikur Olafsson, Olof Arnalds and Samuli Kosminen, all of whom have recently joined the group for live performances. Tracklist:

01 Hu Hvlss-- A Ship
02 Weeping Rock, Rock
03 Nightly Cares
04 The Ghosts You Draw On My Back
05 Stir
06 Sing Me Out The Window
07 Islands Of The Childrens Children
08 Away
09 Oh, How The Boat Drifts
10 Small Deaths Are The Saddest
11 Will The Summer Make Good For All Our Sins
12 Abandoned Ship Bells

Following the April release of Summer Make Good, Múm will embark upon a worldwide tour, and release "Nightly Cares" as the leading single along with three or four b-sides, Bad Taste reports.