I first heard of Manchester Orchestra when their single "Wolves at Night" started getting some radio play off of their first major release, "I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child." It was only one song, but it was a song that was good enough that when Say Anything came to Atlanta and Manchester Orchestra opened up for them, I was excited to see them live. On that night, I remember watching a burly man who looked like he had spent years in the woods come out and own that stage. I heard a couple songs off the new record they were working on and they also played "Wolves" making their opening slot one to remember.
I started paying attention to them after that, realizing that they are actually from Atlanta. For a person like me, who attends Auburn University, Atlanta is basically right down the road so it kind of feels like a hometown vibe. When their second release, "Mean Everything to Nothing" came out, I was sort of slow to get into it. But then I got into it heavy.
I remember the slow process consisted of Hedman getting it first and telling me how much he loved a couple of the opening tracks where the band seemed to bend some of the notes. Then, this girl I was hanging out with for a little bit that summer purchased that cd on a whim and I heard it over at her house a little bit. Finally, when we went on our road trip I put it in and just drove.
After all that, it was just a matter of multiple listens. The opening tracks basically grab you by the throat and force you to feel the intensity and as the album goes on his voice starts to mellow out and you feel like you are listening to a bear with a soft spot. "Shake It Out" made it's way to the alternative stations and every time I heard it start I would go nuts and basically put on a mini concert in my car (video is the last one below).
Mark my words: Manchester Orchestra will be major players in this scene in the next few years. And I will always remember this cd as a sign of what was to come.
And quite possibly one of my favorite videos of all time:
Any way we could get you to post a "recap" post, or in its own separate page? I'd love to go back to the beginning and read all of these, but sorting by the "music sunday" group requires me to load all the YouTube vids all at once...
ReplyDeleteHmmm, good point. Blogger has these new page things, maybe something like that will work? I will have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback!
I love some Manchester Orchestra. I love "I can Feel a Hot One", they have such a diverse sound.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes, yes!!!! I'm VERY happy that you put them on here! I too heard them at random times and thought- interesting. But then I got stuck on what ended up being a HOrrendous roadtrip with losers who were scared of cars and had vertigo (try being in THAT car for 4+ hours with everyone gasping every 30 seconds) but someone brought this cd along and I loved it. Thankfully, it's a great road cd and if you have it loud enough, you can't hear people hyperventilating when you try to merge across 4 lanes of traffic. ;)
ReplyDeleteIncredible band, and fantastic pick! I saw these guys open for Kevin Devine and Brand New in 2007 and they were wonderful. "Where Have You Been?" won me over, but Mean Everything To Nothing shows they are really fulfilling their artistic potential. It's refreshing to find that bands can craft a lyrically intimate album while maintaining such musical diversity. Can't wait for their follow up.
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