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.

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.

Mwng is Welsh band Super Furry Animals' fourth studio album, but their first solely in their native Welsh language, and it's absolutely brilliant. Musically mature, and lyrically bizzare (as usual). What sets this album apart from the others are the melodies which seem to come in an endless supply. Highlights are Track 6 'Pan ddaw'r wawr' (When dawn breaks) which has what is musically the Super Furry Animals' gene sound. Highlight of the second half is the blinding finale 'Gwreiddiau dwfn, Mawrth oer ar y blaned Neifion', translation too bizzare to mention here. It is an epic of early Neil Young proportions. Buy this CD and get a taste of Welsh culture through the eyes of doped up twenty first century radicals. Long may they run.

How can an album entirely in Welsh, a language I do not understand a word of, strike a chord and sound as beautiful and meaningful as The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Neil Young? The Furries might be most loved for being the psychedelic Welsh Kinks, but this is their most beautiful moment to date. Fan or not, you can't help but be seduced by these tunes. Gruff's voice is at its finest and the melodies on this album bring to mind Brian Wilson, Lennon & McCartney, Scott Walker and later day Byrds. Best thing about this record? Apart from the twinkling delicate beauty of the music, you can always sit back, skin up and imagine you know exactly what they're singing about.

Super Furry Animals Return with yet another outstanding pop album. MWNG continues on in their tradition of taking pop based songs and infusing all different styles. The album is written in the groups native tongue Welsh. At first I thought this might take away from the albums appeal, but SFAs hooks are so catchy that it makes little difference. The albums songs tend to be generally alittle slower than their past efforts. They have replaced much of the house music influence of past albums, with slower grooves, accoustic guitars, and trumpets. This change is a welcome one since it allows the brilliant songwriting to shine through. This really is an amazing album by an amazing band, defently worth picking up.

Great listen!

Well this band continues their run of coming out with original, heartfelt, fun, dynamic, and truley alternative music. The Furries, in my humble opinion, do whacky better than anyone and the fact that this amazing album is completely sung in welsh is testimony to that. Never fear though, this disc is all about the groove, the feeling and the melody and all parts are top notch! True, there are times I wish I knew the language, but this fact is quickly overlooked with a few listens. If you fancy yourself as a pioneer for the true alternative, this is your disc! Its soooo wonderful, this band is one of the few that keeps me buying discs.

This record is the bands finest and least accessible lyrically. Unless you speak Welsh. I don't know the language but my ancestors were from Cardiff. This one calms me. Rock on SFA!

Alles Ok. Danke.

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. Drygioni 2. Ymaelodi â'r Ymylon 3. Y Gwyneb Iau 4. Dacw Hi 5. Nythod Cacwn 6. Pan Ddaw'r Wawr 7. Ysbeidiau Heulog 8. Y Teimlad 9. Sarn Helen 10. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer ar y Blaned Neifion 11. 38 minute continuous play demo of 'Mwng' CD 2: Mwng Bach 1. Cryndod Yn Dy Lais 2. Trons Mr. Urdd 3. Calimero 4. Sali Mali 5. (Nid) Hon Yw'r Gân Sy'n Mynd I Achub Yr Iaiath Peel Session 6. Nythod Cacwn 7. Cryndod Yn Dy Lais 8. Y Gwyneb Iau 9. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer Ar Y Blaned Neifion Live at ATP 10. Drygioni 11. Ysbeidiau Heulog 12. Pan Ddaw'r Wawr 13. Y Gwyneb Iau 14. Ymaelodi Â'r Ymylon 15. Nythod Cacwn 16. Gwreiddiau Dwfn / Mawrth Oer Ar Y Blaned Neifion

So lyrically a struggle for me. But as a whole musical package just wonderful. And this expanded version is terrific

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.

Excellent album. Sounds timeless. The extras on CD2 are a must for any committed SFA fan.