Knopf's solo songs share with Menomena an ear for contrast-"Going Once, Going Twice" swings between easy-flowing passages and lurching sections that build tension for the next rhythmic release. Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss provides the song's pounding rhythmic floor, but Knopf's own piano gives it its funky stride. He gives himself a bit of electronic assistance on "I Say Fever", falling down a processing rabbit hole on the title refrain, which precipitates a sudden downpour of heavy guitar. More simple is "Boy Ant", a short piano instrumental with a sense of melody derived more from traditional European songs like "Edelweiss" than anything in contemporary pop sphere.Īny Menomena fan will recognize Knopf's voice, which is a delicate instrument- it's not rangy, but he knows his capabilities and uses them. It's offset by big choruses and a strange Eastern European-ish bridge with a carnivalesque atmosphere. Knopf is piano player and programmer for Menomena, and he comes up with some wild stuff here, especially on "Always Right", where he sticks you with these bizarre, stuttering phrases for the odd-metered verses. The violin melody interacts with the chord sequence to grow more aching by the second and turns a decent song into one you can't forget. Sometimes it's just an unexpected element that mails a song all the way home, like the impromptu choir that suddenly emerges from the acoustic guitar and spaciously recorded drums of "Bellyfulla" or the unbelievably gorgeous violin part that shines like a vibrant light from the center of "Russia".
In fact, of the various Menomena side projects, this is the one that most matches that band in terms of both sound and quality, paying meticulous attention to sonic and compositional details to emerge with a record full of memorable surprises. As a sort of shorthand for the natural majesty of the Pacific Northwest, the name works well for Portland's Ramona Falls, aka Brent Knopf of Menomena and a huge cast of his friends.
A multi-tiered waterfall in a dark glen on the slopes of Mount Hood in Oregon, it's one of those endlessly photographable landforms that makes you want to be there any time you see a shot of it. Seriously, check it out on Google Earth some time. Quote from: Pitchfork Ramona Falls is beautiful.
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