The Musicmen Cometh!
This is the marriage of two musical minds, Josh Bain and Nolan Ross. Friends since high school, they've seen the seven wonders of the world, jumped from helicopters, hang-glided, climbed Mt. Everest, and even offered jokes over dinner with Bono, Springsteen, Clapton, and others.
Okay, none of that is true except the friends since high school part. Nonetheless, these guys love music and love talking about it. We hope you enjoy it.
Manchester Orchestra
It kind of sucks to be a relatively, still, “new” band in 2009. Realize this - band signs a record deal, does press releases, signs stuff, talks about their music, performs on some shows, does interviews, takes photos, hangs out with fellow record label mates while shooting the breeze, does more interviews, gets hyped up by magazines and radio shows, gets ready for the release date of “newest” record, gets more hype, this time from even more magazines and radio shows, and then, the part that makes or breaks the band - the reviews.
Everyone and their mother is talking and blogging about this band. They got a bit of attention with their 2006 release, I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child, while the song, “Wolves At Night” was a decent sized hit. I think the record really just put them on the map for people to understand that the next record will be the one that makes or breaks the band. At least that’s how I see it.
When I listen to Mean Everything To Nothing, I see poise and I see maturity. The five-piece group from Atlanta has been touring and writing for this new record so that they can live up to the hype. You know what kind of pressure that’s like? Yeah, me neither, but you can bet your bottom dollar it’s no fun for guys like these who work hard to write for themselves, not to please every hipster taking pictures downtown and drinking black coffee. They mean something to themselves first because this is the record they want to make. I may have it all wrong, but this is what it looks like from my view when I spin their record.
By now, you’ve heard “I’ve Got Friends,” and made your decision on the band. It’s a great song, but not one that I think really showcases what this band is capable of. ”I Can Feel A Hot One” might be your ticket. I think this song was on some Gossip Girl show, which, like Grey’s Anatomy, I DO NOT WATCH, so I cannot tell you what it’s like to watch a scene from said shows, and hear a song that some music producer has chosen, that allows the viewer to feel some connection to the band. I’m not that guy. In my younger, sillier, days, I experienced this when watching The O.C., whenever The Album Leaf or Death Cab for Cutie played. I understood the connection, and so did the viewer who heard a wonderful song like “I Can Feel A Hot One” and now has possibly bought the record, Mean Everything to Nothing because of this. I’m okay with that, but let’s not linger on songs for shows. The record has so much more depth!
“Shake It Out” is fun. Really fun. It might even be on Ipod playlists for indie-rock DJs all around throwing little soirées that refuse to play hip hop music. Cold War Kids, Manchester Orchestra, !!!, and Hot Chip. Those playlists. They’ll probably throw in a little Kanye or T.I. if they’re taking requests, but don’t expect “Shake It Out” to be preceded by Black Eyed Peas.
Join the revolution and buy the record. Like all of my previous posts, you be the judge. Don’t let anyone else tell you that you have to like these guys, but just give it a chance. I’ll be the one saving you a seat at their show with a beer in hand.
