Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything To Nothing (Sony)
4/5
By: Liane Escorza
Manchester Orchestra are not from Manchester - nor are they an orchestra. In fact, these five men come from Atlanta in the US and play rock instruments and tunes like Weezer or the Pixies might.
Do not get fooled by that sweeping statement, though. Mean Everything To Nothing is gold in the midst of muddy waters, a solid album of raw, authentic (or as authentic as it can be) rock and roll. It’s an album to play loud and proud, classically melding extreme textures across its dynamics, lyrics and melodies.
The first six songs sit incredibly well as their own suite, before the album catches breath and switches in to a less frantic mood. The drum and guitar work is particularly gripping on the introductory ‘The Only One’, whilst ‘Shake It Out’ offers a glimpse of their openness to cross the border into pop in a Kings of Leon fashion. Elsewhere, ‘Pride’ starts off with a defined yet quiet bass-line similar to Foo Fighters’ characteristic mark and ‘In my Teeth’ is a proper Nirvana eulogy.
Last track ‘The River’, which clocks in at 11’30”, finishes with a stripped-down gift of intimate country songwriting and trembling displays of fear and faith. Mean Everything To Nothing is, however, a true work of bravery.
Artists in this article: Manchester Orchestra
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