Mansun: A Band You Should Know About But Don't
Apr 02 '02 (Updated Apr 02 '02)
Pros
Songs that are emotionally evocative and creative.
Cons
Disgusting is, um, the most disgusting.
The Bottom Line
Mansun burst on to the musical scene in 1997 with their debut. The album is one of the most beautifully arranged pieces I've heard in a long time.
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Combining richly layered orchestral arrangements with musically relevant rock and roll, Mansun is a highly talented, yet wholly unappreciated band.
Formed in 1995, the British foursome never had a problem with being different. Their sound was very much until any of their Brit-Pop contemporaries. Paul Draper (vocals, guitar, lyricist), Stove King (bass), Dominic Chad (lead guitar) and Andie Rathbone (drums) make music to please themselves as individuals and in doing so have made music that was initially passed on by critics but in the long run has become increasingly important. While some bands were easily identifiable as Brit-Pop like Travis, Supergrass, Oasis and The Verve, Mansun fit nicely into the more experimental periphery ala early innovators Suede and Manic Street Preachers.
But, Mansun seems to be something unto itself. With a sound that is indefinable and seemingly without limits, the foursome made their stylish album debut with the 1997 album Attack of the Grey Lantern. The album sounds little like a debut, and more like an effort indicative of years of underground attempts and failures. Instead, Attack of the Grey Lantern is a grand neo Progressive Rock, Brit Pop masterpiece.
I can hear the questions now…
”But wait. Why is it that I’ve never heard of Mansun?”
Well, the only reason I have any clue who Mansun is as a result of my sister who thinks she is British. She was always picking up anything that was by a British band…good or bad. This was one of them that she particularly liked and recommended to me a few years ago. Stupid me waited until NOW to pick it up. I deserve a kick in the head for that move. Anyway, Mansun really hasn’t garnered much exposure stateside. Maybe it’s because we Americans need a nice little category to throw bands into. Since Mansun fits nowhere, radio can’t play ‘em. Too bad for radio and subsequently the public.
Attack of the Grey Lantern is at it’s root a conceptual album ala classic David Bowie or even Queen. The UK version is probably the more complete of the two albums because it is the original form. But, the US version is equally brilliant just ordered incorrectly. Let me ask you…why exactly is it that Epic felt it necessary to screw with such a great product. I sure as hell will never know…
Anyway, most important to say even before I go on rambling about this or that track is that Mansun, despite it’s diverse roots and influences, probably won’t appeal to people who don’t already like Brit Pop on some level. Britney lovers and Deadheads beware…Mansun is not the act for you. But, the sweeping instrumentals and overall picture of the album is nonetheless exceptionally entertaining and worthy of at least a listen or two by thousands upon thousands of people who have yet to experience the band’s vision of music.
Lending more to classical via Prog Rock than typical Brit Pop, The Chad Who Loved Me is about a strong of a first track that listeners and future fans could possibly hope for much less expect. The first orchestral minute of the opus is lovely, sweeping soundscape. As the track progresses, more and more traditional rock elements are added beginning with drums and then guitar and finally Draper’s synthesizer-enhanced vocals. It’s the kind of songs that drives a movie’s soundtrack toward perfection. On this album it certainly drives listeners to check out the rest of the album.
The Chad Who Loved Me breaks into Wide Open Space with the help of hippopotamus barks (you think I’m kidding…check it out). This song is undoubtedly more radio-friendly than some of the others. And, with Draper’s delicately driving vocals along side a groovy version of Brit Pop the end product is masterful. But what makes Wide Open Space an obvious product of Mansun is the use of a chorus of tenors.
The album winds along bumping into musical influences along the way. She Makes My Nose Bleed is notably rock mixed with a hint of Duran Duran while remaining understated and showcasing the band’s talent. Naked Twister is a contrast to the previous track. It feels a bit like a lounge act and a bit like pure Brit Pop. Whatever the ties to other musical landscapes are, this song is pretty darned good. Mansun is a great find for any listener.
Take It Easy, Chicken is included only on the US release of this album. On the UK version another track--Stripper Vicar--is included instead. This is probably the most recognizable song from the band, although Mansun includes some very different elements. The most notable stylistic change is the extensive use of programming. It’s still a good track, just oddly placed among the other more theatrical songs.
Continuing on, You, Who Do You Hate? is light and emotional. I’m actually reminded of Silent Lucidity from Queensryche here for some reason, but all comparisons aside Mansun once again shines. Tender and touching at times while loud and aggressive at others, this track winds it’s way around each emotion neatly.
And so the album continues with Mansun’s Only Love Song. A deconstructed ode to melody and disco, this seventh track is marked by warbling vocals and instruments twisted around pop conventions. Taxloss returns to the grandiosity of earlier tracks on this album. It’s loud and strange, yet overall very appealing with a combination of some kid’s electronic keyboard and Beatles riffs ala Taxman.
Disgusting soon appears as a moderately depressing lament that’s really not too far away from the usual crap produced by Tears for Fears. Aside from the particularly creative and hollow sounding verses, this track is quite likely the least appealing of the eleven presented.
The final two tracks add a nice exclamation point on this overall very impressive album. Egg Shaped Fred is a clap-along romp. It’s one of the most energetic and least pretentious offerings on Attack of the Grey Lantern. But, it’s the epic Dark Mavis that leaves listeners wanting more. Clocking in at nearly nine minutes and theatrically paying homage to greats like Pink Floyd, Dark Mavis is the perfect forte. A lovely ending to a nearly perfect album.
Mansun should have gotten more attention upon the release of this album especially in the United States. But Americans tend to not want new and different things…the ‘best’ music is also usually the most comfortable. I am completely in love with Mansun. This album is sheer brilliance and worth an easy five stars. Oh, and I recommend it.
Track Listing:
1. The Chad Who Loved Me
2. Wide Open Space
3. She Makes My Nose Bleed
4. Naked Twister
5. Take It Easy, Chicken
6. You, Who Do You Hate?
7. Mansun’s Only Love Song
8. Taxloss
9. Disgusting
10. Egg Shaped Fred
11. Dark Mavis
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Mansun has been unable to equal the combined critical and commercial success of their debut effort. To date, the band has released one other full length album…1999’s Six.
Recommended:
Yes
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