If ubiquity is the route to global domination, then Queens of the Stone Age are well on the way to establishing an empire worth fearing. Mini Mansion are were formed by QOTSA bassist Michael Shuman with a couple of mates, and this, their self-titled debut is released on Josh Homme's Rekords Rekords (via Domino) . It's quite a departure from the riff-centric stoner rock sound Mickey Shoes cranks out in his day-job, and this trio are more about melody than power, the instrumental configuration centring around bass, 'cocktail drum kit' and piano. But don't worry, they're not the new Keane.
Lead single 'Monk' is light, poppy and remarkably straight - at least until the manic ending. Sad Cafe? If 'Wonderbars' has a hint of ELO about it, it's equally got a touch of J G Thirlwell about it. It's all in the execution, as none of the songs on 'Mini Mansions' are as wildly extravagant or cinematic as recent Foetus releases, but there's common ground in the pop stylings forged with a dark, baroque and slightly warped edge. So while a definite pop sensibility, with hooks and melodies worthy of The Beatles bursting every which way, is a prominent aspect of this album, it's infused with a deeply psychedelic vibe. 'Majik Marker' really pulls out the stops and swirls kaleidoscopic shades in ever-expanding concentric circles. It's like the Beach Boys and The Doors had been locked in the studio together.
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Perhaps it's the sheer unexpectedness of it that makes 'Mini Mansions' such a welcome find, but I suspect it's equally the fact it's a slightly weird and very accessible – without being R1 radio fodder – that renders it such an enjoyable listen.
Mini Mansions on MySpace
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