From the first refrains of the opening track “Bye Bye Psycho,” you’re hooked by the lo-fi garage-guitar quality of Seattle outfit the Mu - then vocalist/bassist Makirh comes in full-volume like a bolt of thunderous irony with a voice that unwittingly parodies itself.

But what brought me a good laugh initially, the over-the-top lyrics of “Bye, bye psycho…kiss my ass, I’m outta here,” have now burrowed in and become my day-job battle cry, playing like a loop in my head when I’m making small talk at the copy machine.

Thankfully under-produced and straight-ahead, the quirkiness and humor on 3D Feelings play like members of the band on the album’s first half before switching gears to a latter half chock full of brilliantly ambivalent moments of creativity headed by singer/guitarist Myron Basden. And while Makirh’s voice is simultaneously childlike and acerbic and Basden’s is lazy and flat, after a few listens both eventually make sense within the context of the band and become endearing.

Take them too seriously, and you will lose out on the Mu’s bright moments of beautescence (check out the bass line on “Chardonnay” executed by nonmember Chris Ferreira). Listen too closely and you’ll be mired down in the mistakes of a low-budget self-recorded effort. But take them as they are, and for what they are, and you just might revel in the Mu. – (7/10) (0) Comments