THE MUMLERS
The Independent
March 3, 2007

I have to confess that I have been a lazy Noise Pop attendee since moving to San Francisco about three years ago. I've had good intentions about going, but...yeah, I really haven't made much effort, which is pretty sad to say.

So this year I was very excited to see that Noise Pop was bringing my beloved Clinic to the Independent, which is located a whopping six blocks away from my front door. How convenient!

And just when I thought things couldn't get better, I discovered that San Jose's very own The Mumlers were opening up the show!

The Mumlers, in a word, are amazing. No, you know what? They deserve a two word description: The Mumlers are fucking amazing! Tantalizing the ears with a sound somewhere between Archie Bell, the best of Motown, and however you would classify the Violent Femmes’ early work, The Mumlers are a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how new and exciting music can sound.

The Mumlers are seriously one of the best live acts this side of the Mississippi. Frontman Will's bluesy, sweet vocals, which are often accompanied by a lovely smile, make him a joy to watch and listen to. The other band members put on a great show as well, as they all look as though there is no other place on Earth they'd rather be than playing music with each other on this stage at this exact moment. They are also great eye candy, in that they are all adorable.

Their real strength, however, is the fact that they adorn the stage with a variety of instruments and a shit-ton of talent. They have an upright bass player, a keyboardist who also plays horns (including the tuba), and one of those huge, huge, marching band-style kick drums; as well as guitarists and bassists who all take turns playing each other's instruments and who often times throw in a French horn and/or clarinet for good measure. Point being, there's a lot to look at and a lot of musicianship to be very, very impressed by.

While I’m not typically a huge fan of horn sections, I really like how The Mumlers incorporate these instruments – especially in their number "Red River Hustle," which has a very seductive quality to it. Taking a cue from bands like Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura who have managed to incorporate horns with a very poppy sensibility, The Mumlers’ use windy brass and wood instruments to add blues and soul inflections to their amazing songs, taking them to an even higher level of greatness.

As if being blown away by the musicianship of the band, and how adorable they all are to watch, wasn't enough, The Mumlers will also have you cutting a rug. Yes, it's true. I dare you to watch this band and not sway your hips and do a bit of feet shuffling. Have a drink or two and I swear you'll be dancing like a school girl in seconds flat – especially to their song "Shake Your Medication," which is a hilarious invitation for us to reach into our pockets, pull out or meds, and shake them like maracas while dancing. Did I mention how much I love this band?

All I can say is The Mumlers are a wonderful presence in the bay area music scene. Spanning genres effortlessly and, dare I say, seductively, I can't encourage you enough to check this band out live as well as through their records. You'll dance, you'll develop many crushes, and you'll fall in love with music in a brand new way.

[Jen Chochinov]

[STREAM] The Mumlers: Various Tracks