What could easily be construed as irreverence, or maybe just sheer-minded laziness in the name game stakes, figuratively speaking, Your Ten Mofo are peerless. Not, of course, in a so-good-it’s scary kinda way, but, undeniably, in a what-the-fuck-were-they-thinking kinda way; it is, undoubtedly, a terrible, terrible band name. Terrible. And the music they make? Well it’s pretty much in keeping with the traits you’d envisage from such a name; intriguing and peculiar. By no means "terrible," of course, merely, well, I’ll say it again, intriguing. Sitting somewhere between early Silver Mt. Zion and newcomers Ascent of Everest, the sound is a billowing torrent of orchestral maneuvers and twitching guitars that build and dissipate in frequently annoying passages. Whatever this may mean to you, though, don’t believe any cunt who tells you they’re the new Sigur Ros. These people are wrong and deserve a punching--a hard one smack in the middle of the face.
What is perhaps the most affluent tract of the record can also be regarded as its main vice; the strings that permeate the band’s debut record simply aren’t as involving or dramatic as either of the aforementioned ensembles - not that I wish to compare the three acts, it’s just an indication of the orchestral integrity. What’s also an indication of the integrity of the piece as a whole is the fact that there are only two tracks worthy of significant discussion; the epic "I Think We’re Alone Now” and the equally brooding “Glamorous Thoughts Thought In A White Arctic Body Behind Someone Alone”. Both of which exhibit a benevolent verve and an astute understanding of the creation of such ambitious tracks. Their empirical grace, however, does irretrievable damage to the mood of the record; the rest merely feels ‘attached’ to these two songs - building and peaking at their appearance, and descending into inconsequential music thereafter.
Although unlikely to feature in many ‘best of’ lists, simply because of their current obscurity, their name may well adorn one or two. And if the name appeals to your fascination, which I imagine it probably shall, heed these words; Things Change While Helium Listen To Everyone is a hollow record blessed with two outstanding tracks. Buy it for them if you must.
-Alex Bradshaw