The last Menomena disc to come across my desk for review was their excellent debut, I Am The Fun Blame Monster. Beyond the 80-page flipbook packaging, the album made a tremendous impression with its blend of fun experimentalism and more pop-oriented sensibilities.

Since then the band has released one additional album, Under An Hour, which captured a composition the band created for a three movement modern dance performance in 2004. Featuring three twenty-minute pieces, each written by a different band member, showcased the breadth of the group's abilities and many of the elements contained within the instrumental pieces are utilized in Menomena's other work, including their new, Barsuk debut, Friend and Foe.

What struck me initially upon listening to Friend and Foe is how open the songs felt. Sure, the album and tracks have their sonically-dense moments, but for the most part there is plenty of room for all of the musical elements to breathe and when juxtaposed with the contrast is quite dramatic and effective.

The additional musical drama throughout Friend and Foe, especially on the tracks "The Pelican" and "Running", really set this album apart from the group's previous work while maintaining many of the elements that made Menomena’s debut appealing. Elements including: well-placed vocal harmonies, varied instrumentation, and the remarkable drumming of Danny Seim.