Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

So, for my first review, I'm going to be analyzing a new release that doesn't hit shops for another 2 weeks or so! I'm talking about the new Manchester Orchestra record, which is indie-rock from Georgia. The Manchester Orchestra members hit the studio shortly after the success of their critically-acclaimed 2008 album 'I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child' and have now released their latest epic, 'Mean Everything To Nothing'.

'Mean Everything to Nothing' embraces singer Andy Hull's (Right Away, Great Captain!) voice to the max, with perfectly guided guitar and bass riffs to exemplify both a soft rhythm throughout the 11-song album, yet also some incredible breaks.

Remastered songs such as 'I Can Feel A Hot One' bring out the best in the bands seemingly endless talent, yet the album changes from faster-paced indie rock to softly sung lullabies throughout. Tracks like 'One Hundred Dollars, Shake It Out and You, My Pride & Me' are ones likely to stick on the mind, not to mention the formidable 'I Can Feel A Hot One'.

Definitely one of the best albums that has been released so far in 2009, and fans of Manchester Orchestra will not be disappointed by the bands latest effort.

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

Welcome to Altsounds man. Nice first review. Looking forward to checking out more of your work soon.

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

“I am the only one that thinks I’m going crazy and I don’t know what to 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 Manchester Orchestra's 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.

www.themanchesterorchestra.com

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

I have just heard this album now and after just one listen I am loving it. Very impressive.

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

I must check these out, Chris what the hell is going on there in the comments! Some crazy scoring experimentation?

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

Oops I was experimenting and meant to take that off.

Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

Oh I just assumed it was the score for the secondary review. I thought that was a nice new touch.

I am still trying to get user reviews to work properly, that is what that is
for. Still tweaking to get it right.

On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Heron <> wrote:




--
I am a Welsh Record Producer, Graphic and Web Designer, Film Maker,
Photographer, Artist and Writer. Oh! I also own and run Altsounds.com

[MY PORTFOLIO AND TO HIRE ME]
http://www.screamadelica.co.uk

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Re: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing [Album]
 

Just listening to this now. Pretty boring.