Mwng

In the notes to the second song, Ymaelodi A'r Ymylon (Joining the Periphery or Banished to the Periphery) Gruff says "It's partly about our experiences of doing taboo moves like singing in English. Its about being banished from a musical scene but it could also be about being banished from a group of friends." So apparently at one point the Furries were pretty hooked into the whole Welsh nationalist scene, or whatever you want to call it. This was either their attempt to reconnect with their hardcore Welsh homies, or a fond farewell to them-a last look back as they head over the hills to further fame and fortune.Pan Ddaw'r Wawr (When Dawn Breaks) is about "the death of rural communities...I suppose its from experience, areas where I grew up...". Another song's title, Gwreiddlau Dwfn is translated as Deep Roots. Sarn Helen is about how lousy the transport is in Wales today, how it was better when the Romans were occupying the place. Y Teimlad (The Feeling) is a cover of a tune by an obscure (to us outside of Wales, anyway) Welsh band called Dathblygu, but they're named-dropped as though everyone's heard of them. That song, incidentally, is one of the CD's high points, a soaring melancholy anthem about love which is so moving, sez Gruff, that he "would rather not tarnish and trivialize it with one of my shady translations!" Somehow the feeling comes through nevertheless.So Welsh culture is kind of a theme here, but actually most of the songs aren't specifically about Wales (although five of the songs aren't translated so who knows?). They're about stuff like good vs. evil (Drygioni/Badness or Bad Drugness). War (Y Gwyneb Lau/Liverface--I'm including the song names just because it's fun typing them crazy Welsh words). Gruff's kindergarden teacher (Dacw Hi/There She Is). Beehives (Nythod Cacwn/Beehives-although they're metaphorical beehives). Etc.(Incidentally, the CD notes don't come with the CD. You can find them, and Welsh and English lyrics for most of the songs, online at [...] click on the album cover on the right, then click on Tracks, then on "geiriau/Lyrics" at top right)Personally, I like the slightly rough, homemade, indie-rock sound. You get the sense that what you're listening to is a homely little labor of love, something the artists did for themselves and their friends. Something from their private collection. It seems very personal and heartfelt. And although it is kinda folky (which is okay by me), several songs rock unashamedly.And its interesting to hear what Welsh sounds like. Doesn't really sound like any other European language I've heard. Maybe just a little like Russian, oddly enough.

Great listen!

A truly great album. And I never tire of coming back to it. The bonus material is worth the re-purchase if you are a least a middling fan.

*THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE 2015 DELUXE VERSION OF “MWNY”*First the extra tracks:Disc 2:1-5 tracks are previous un-released songs, all of them good enough to feature on the main album.6-9 tracks are all recorded live for the John Peel sessions on 6/10/04. Performing in front of a small intimate crowd, with the band in a laid back mood, fitting for the setting.10-16 tracks performed live for Radio 1 at the atp on 7/4/10. A large crowd & much more of a raucous show, a good contrast to the Peel gig.Disc 1Track 11, a 39 minute continuous run through of songs from “Mwny” & the extra tracks from the second disc. They sound like Demo versions of the songs, but the album is pretty stripped down anyway, so not a big difference.With the extra tracks I think it’s worth purchasing the album again (I know it can become quite annoying buying the same album over & over again).I have to confess that it been a few years since listening to “Mwny”, but the album has really matured well with age, the Welsh Language is ideally suited for this type of music & makes for a surprisingly accessible record.So a brave interesting album, & because of it’s success Gruff has continued to challenge the boundaries of music with a series of fascinating solo offerings.

The very nature of this record might make someone immediately write it off as a doodle-doo between more crystallized efforts. After all, unless you speak Welsh, the song names and lyrics are complete gibberish. But that's like dismissing a record from France or Japan or Germany simply because it's in a different language (hell, American audiences couldn't get enough of "99 Luftballoons" in the 80s). And because of its accessible musical style, it's not even the most challenging Furries record (that would be Radiator, still their best album).And even though Mwng struggles to meet the highs of Rings and Radiator, it doesn't miss greatness because of the words. There's an inexplicable lack of energy at several junctures. Slow, dreamy pop isn't off-limits, but they seem to be doing some of it lazily. "Pan Ddaw'r Wawr" is mostly elegiac, but it has moments of startling strength and beauty; meanwhile, I just wanted "Nythod Cacwn" to MOVE. One of the better songs is the quick toss off opener, "Drygioni," which could have become a true standout if it didn't fade too fast. But "Dacw Hi" and "Ysbeidiau Heulog" rank with the best of the Furries.Best cuts: "Dacw Hi," "Pan Ddaw'r Wawr," "Ysbeidiau Heulog," "Drygioni," "Y Teimlad," "Ymalodi A'r Ymylon," "Sarn Helen"

I don't know how this band finds time to record or tour, itseems like all they do is absorb influences all day and all night.Mwng is in Welsh, which really shouldn't turn you off to the Super Furry Animals (as if!) because its a bit hard for an English audience to tell what Gruff is saying anyway on the English records. (Case in point: The vocal round in the chorus of Northern Lites off the superb Guerilla LP). Anyway, showing incredible musicianship here, the Furries put aside their modern influences and do an old school LP that has a bit of punk (the first song) and some songs where the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Love could all be guesting on (on the same song, the second one!). Its fine music, and their website has translations (although they don't make *too* much sense in english). Anyway, album of the year? Its a possibility.

15 years after it's initial release, Mwng still sounds as good as it ever did. It's more lo-fi sounding but no less eclectic, inventive or adventurous than anything SFA had done before or since. There's an uncredited 38 minute continuous playing demo of the album (less 'Nythod Cacwn') at the end of the first CD. It's more or less the same as what the finished album sounds like but with enough noticeable differences here and there to make it worthwhile if not essential.The second disc features 'Mwng Bach' (a collection of earlier Welsh language B-Sides) that was initially available as a bonus CD on the US release of the album. The stand out is the gorgeous '(Nid) Hon Yw'r Gân Sy'n Mynd I Achub Yr Iaith' which doesn't sound a million miles away from 'Juxtaposed With U'. Four intimate tracks from a John Peel session and a well received 38 minute live set from an All Tomorrow's Parties gig make up the rest of the disc. During the ATP gig Gruff Rhys translates some of the song titles during his shambolic song introductions in what is a solid set. The live version of 'Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer Ar Y Blaned Neifio' is epic.Housed in a gatefold cardboard sleeve alongside a booklet containing the lyrics, the combined playing time of both discs is 2 hours and 36 minutes. Well worth getting if you missed the album first time around and enough here to make it a worthwhile investment for those who loved it the first time around.CD 1:1. Drygioni2. Ymaelodi â'r Ymylon3. Y Gwyneb Iau4. Dacw Hi5. Nythod Cacwn6. Pan Ddaw'r Wawr7. Ysbeidiau Heulog8. Y Teimlad9. Sarn Helen10. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer ar y Blaned Neifion11. 38 minute continuous play demo of 'Mwng'CD 2:Mwng Bach1. Cryndod Yn Dy Lais2. Trons Mr. Urdd3. Calimero4. Sali Mali5. (Nid) Hon Yw'r Gân Sy'n Mynd I Achub Yr IaiathPeel Session6. Nythod Cacwn7. Cryndod Yn Dy Lais8. Y Gwyneb Iau9. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer Ar Y Blaned NeifionLive at ATP10. Drygioni11. Ysbeidiau Heulog12. Pan Ddaw'r Wawr13. Y Gwyneb Iau14. Ymaelodi Â'r Ymylon15. Nythod Cacwn16. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer Ar Y Blaned Neifion

When I first listened to this album I wasn't enamoured. I felt that the vocals weren't great. Having listened to it numerous times, the vocal style seems to add to the brilliant tunes on this album. The later SFA albums are more "produced"', this one is direct and accessible, even if you don't understand the lyrics. I know a little bit of Welsh, so I can appreciate it even more. Give this album a few plays and I reckon it would be hard not to love it.

Thanks v good

Fab!

such fun