Review: Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything To Nothing
“I am the only one that thinks I’m crazy and I don’t know what do?
And I am the only son of a pastor I know, who does the things I do.”
This is not a sneak preview of a forthcoming Kings Of Leon song, it represents the opening line of ‘The Only One’ a brooding psych’ tilted rock slide that introduces the 2nd official album of the Atlanta, Georgia upstarts, Manchester Orchestra. ‘Shake It Out’, continues the moody tunes when singer, Andy Hull settles effortlessly into a slightly desperate vocal drag. It has a building southern scamper, helping to promote the reflective, lovelorn and life weary lyrics that are given extra impetus during occasional frantic outbursts. It’s their mood switching ability which is given extra focus on this album. This is drawn out in the slow building power ballad, ‘I’ve Got Friends’ that wrenches out regret and unashamedly shows an underpinning of urbane anger.
It has always been clear from their previous work, Manchester Orchestra knows how to channel their feelings, but the stirring guitar led cacophonies now seems to add extra impetus to this element of their sincere song crafting. They often take the earthy rock pull of My Morning Jacket and The Black Keys, then drag it through a sewer of old dirty blues rock influences. This is part of their sound that’s as much grateful to 60s British blues rock, as anything from their home country.
The mid-section of this debut full length is decorated with a neat vocal to-and-fro between Andy Hull and Erica Froman, ‘100 Dollars’. With the only accompaniment to this being an extremely low-key guitar twine, as they use subtlety to draw out reflective forlornness. Building up neatly to a worried, almost rant by Hull. Wistful interludes are scattered around like litter, giving the shows of feeling and emotion even more impact. However, it is when the wistful continues for the whole mini-epic song, ‘I Can Feel A Hot One’ that the true versatility of this act is laid out to bear.
Revving guitars and dusky vocals give the lacklustre and disbelieving ‘Tony The Tiger’, oodles of gritty life and, at times, it’s the closest this band comes to out-and-out blues. Epic tune building ability is yearningly drawn out through, ‘The River’. A low-key, streaming instrumental element takes a backseat initially, to the echoing lament covering sibling rivalry, amongst other things. Then BAM, it is that characteristic mood switch again, manifesting in the desperately expressive vocals of Hull. Bringing about a killer pace change. No matter how much you think you’re expecting it, you can’t help but be taken by surprise.
Thoughtful, yet moody rockers now have a safe haven from which to enjoy their occasionally frowned up preference of music.
Video: Manchester Orchestra – I’ve Got Friends
Manchester Orchestra’s retro-style video for the first single off their album ‘Mean Everything To Nothing’
Manchester Orchestra; Manchester Academy 3 (16/07/2009)
Indie rock, blues Punk, plain alternative or just too out there to pigeon hole? This question about the misfits from Atlanta, Georgia who confusingly go by the name of Manchester Orchestra, is in need of an answer tonight. Glancing around the basic, but intimate and comforting venue, no clear cut clues are to be found by gazing upon the largely non-descript, but musically knowledgeable looking crowd. Neither is too much given away from this ranging outfit’s first official album, ‘I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child’ and the grimier, latest full length delve ‘Mean Everything To Nothing’.
They seem comfortably apathetic when settling into a dingy big blues groove, ‘My Friend Marcus’. The sturdy contribution of drummer Jeremiah Edmund, bears out the value of strong, well time percussion to an act that likes to change impact in the other aspects of their musicianship. The opening question is one that a large section of the crowd seems to be asking, as often long and pensive looks are directed at the stage. Every band that gets locked in the battle for the necessary food that is publicity in the music industry needs an enigma. Lead man, Andy Hull, who, whilst having a larger than life look and the outlandish facial hair of a 1960’s tramp, is quite modest and unassuming throughout. He bursts into life when a bit of vocal energy and gusto is needed, ‘In My Teeth’. He fits the bill quite neatly, thank you.
Given the fact that the smoking ban started back when the Aussies had a semi-decent cricket team and Katie Price was relatively bearable, it is amazing how Manchester Orchestra manages, at times, to make you feel like you’re nicotine fumed UK bar in the late 60s. The sound is given a slightly surprising British blues rock vibe that lingers like smoke in a live setting and, it highlights the lyrics that unveil aspects of lower life in a non-judgemental manner. This adds to the growing, endearing nature of a hardworking band. It’s intrigue and nostalgia, as much as anything that will draw you back to the lure of this sincere, occasionally humble and very genuine outfit.
Manchester Orchestra Offer Free Download + Trip to Lollapalooza!
Manchester Orchestra are giving away a free download of their single, “I’ve Got Friends,” from their sophmore release Mean Everything To Nothing. After you get your free download enter yourself for a chance to win tickets to see the band at Lollapalooza. See below for details…
Here is how it works:
1) Get your free download of “I’ve Got Friends” here: http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com/us/ivegotfriendsdownload
2) Then Tweet the below copy, or at least just the link, to your friends for a chance at winning a trip to Lollapalooza:
Tweet me to your friends –> Download Manchester Orchestra’s (@LetMyPrideBe) single “I’ve Got Friends” for FREE! http://tinyurl.com/downloadivegotfriends
For more details visit the contest page linked below:
http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com/us/Lolla09