Basal Metabolism by Basal Metabolism, Monsieur Herr, Zhir Vengersky
Basal Metabolism is Maxwell Major and Riley Maiden, the creative heads of pseudonymous art-pop projects Zhir Vengersky and Monsieur Herr, respectively. Having been friends and occasional collaborators for a number of years, it was only inevitable that they would properly join forces at one point or another. They both agree that it sounded like a good idea at the time.
Both men share many interests and sensibilities, chief among them an appreciation for the blending of avant-garde experimentation with more conventional pop music forms. Whereas many see these as polar opposites—incompatible and irreconcilable in every sense—Basal Metabolism knows differently; knows better. Their self-titled album is at once the proof, the pudding, and the eating thereof.
"The main difference between Max and I," Maiden points out, "Is that we each appreciate 'The Letter' by the Box Tops for vastly different reasons. The great thing about Basal Metabolism is that it provides an environment for both of these reasons to co-exist. It wasn't that hard, actually, since I also appreciate 'The Letter' in the way Max does in addition to my own personal appreciation for it, but that's beside the point."
"I've listened to nothing but Pere Ubu for the past six weeks," adds Major, turning an old railroad spike in his hands, "So I can't remember what a pop melody or pop song structure is. I have Riley deal with that. Then I come in and splatter some Jackson Pollock-type shit within his framework."
"I'm a bit like Stalin," Maiden claims. Nobody can tell if, or in what capacity, he is joking. "I go into frightening tyrannical rages when I don't get what I want. Blood was spilled."
"We still managed to get along, though." Unlike Maiden, Major is incapable of hiding his delivery of a punchline. "I screw with his guitar and bass tones, he takes an ice pick into my head. Just a bit of banter."
Basal Metabolism will not be playing the Hollywood Bowl in the summer of 2025, or any other summer for that matter.
Tracklist
Credits
Basal Metabolism is Monsieur Herr and Zhir Vengersky
Zhir Vengersky and Monsieur Herr are Basal Metabolism
(to reiterate)
All selections written by Maxwell Major and Riley Maiden
...except "(Don't They Know) It's the End of the World", by Arthur Kent and Sylvia Dee, and "When It Blows Its Stacks", by Don Van Vliet
Recorded in the summers of 2023 and '24 at Love Beach Annex, Southern California
All tracks mixed by Riley Maiden
Mastered by Jon Jefcoat at Fake House
Cover concept Major/Maiden; graphic design by Jumbo Weasel
All instrumental and vocal performances by Basal Metabolism, except for the electric piano on "(Don't They Know) It's the End of the World", provided by Thelonious Dump. He also provided the remix of "Carrizo Gorge" that's on the CD and on the "Adam Lambert Is Not Elvis" advance EP that's on streaming. "Babies in a Briefcase" and "Big Squeeze" previously appeared on "Eating Mac and Cheese at the End of the World", an album that does not exist, and both appear in altered form here.
Special thanks to Bindi, Millie, and Meemoo
This album is a proud non-combatant in the Loudness War. PLAY LOUD!
License
All rights reserved.
Basal Metabolism will not be playing the Hollywood Bowl in the summer of 2025, or any other summer for that matter.