So, Manitoba then...

(I may be biased. But everyone agrees it's them versus Redneck Manifesto for ruler of Dublin bands).

Probably won't be able to make the show on Friday, though, as I think Joe and I are going out to visit his mum's country cottage.

Sure, there's a few nice tunes on here, and the guy's to be patted on the back for trying some new things, but that's as far as I'll go. And who likes all the free-jazzy noodling crap that appears on a few of the tracks? That's supposed to be tuneful?

In case any of you aren't in the know, Manitoba is the name of the lamest province in Canada, and home to Winnipeg, the lamest city in Canada. So a Canadian naming their act Manitoba is akin to an American naming their act err... Iowa or maybe Wyoming.

Yes Tico Tico.

I still wuv it.

"Love the Beach Boys and Mercury Rev? Really want to prove your avante guarde trendiness by getting into IDM and bleepmusic, but you really just can't get your head around the lack of TUNES?!?!? Manitoba is the band for you!"

But then I've only listened to it twice, perhaps I should give it another chance.

Also, could noone have told me that the Postal Service record sounds like FUCKING DUBSTAR! IDM my arse.

http://www.bleed-music.com/new/albums/story.asp?id=1507

(Less knowledgable (and shorter) than Nick's).

Ned, have you heard it yet?

You've eaten too much pink candy floss and been on the whirly spinney things at the fair and that's okay because those whirly spinning things could only make a complete pussy throw up but now it's your headache and your swirly feeling and your candy floss puke on the pavement and you're the pussy and the floor's still spinning and will it ever stop?

This sounds like the BEST MUSIC EVAH!!! I love candy floss! I love the whirly spinny thing! I always throw up, but the sensation of eating candy floss and whirling is so great that it's worth it!

heh. I was waiting for someone to mention this. Haven't seen that remarked upon in too many, or any, really, reviews.

sample email exchange from buddy to me:

"Dude, what's it sound like, anyway?"

"Heh. First track sounds like Chapterhouse with more reverb. This is kinda neat."

[...30 minutes pass...]

"Dude! get this! this is fucking killer!"

Nah, not really worth tracking down, but if you see it and its reasonably priced give it a shot. A 2 Disc version with several remixes exists as well. I like the Manitoba album better since its got more Mercury Rev and Sp3 in it. Otherwise the resemblence is striking.

Re: up my ass

I just re-read my review & I stand by it completely. I think I did a pretty good job explaining why the record works & who might like it. What were you expecting after reading my review?

I do think that some of the interest in the Manitoba record, at least from people who liked his first album a lot, is that he went in such a completely different direction. At a time when a lot of people are wondering if IDM has reached a cul de sac, he decided to abandon it for retro pop. If you don't care about electronic music or what Snaith did earlier, the record might have just a little less punch.

Nope -- symptomatic of the whole feeling I've got towards listening to music a lot these days, please refer to my various posts on the 'top singles of 2003' thread for more. In this case though, rather than not being all that excited over constant new thrills, I feel dulled by all the Beach Boys/Chapterhouse/Chemicals invocations and can't be bothered to care more. I do again note your comment about sounding like Loveless on its final song but jeez, I've heard enough that wants to sound like Loveless over time after all...

Your review is accurate, I agree, and many people have been praising Up In Flames, so to blame you specifically was a bit harsh. However, I do stand by the claim that if an act like Beulah was to have made this same album, there is little chance it would have garnered an 8.6. Bands shouldn't be given bonus points just for changing their style or doing something unexpected.

I listen to mountains of indie and electronica, but this album just doesn't turn my crank much. For me, it's too much of a rambling mess. I'll take something like that Digital Jockey album anyday over this. I think it's OK, but not fantastic like many people have asserted.

Also,

Recipe for 'Seething Cozen': just add Four Tet's 'Rounds'.

I guess with all the nany-nany-poo-poo's this might not be the best time to mention there'll be some West Coast Manitoba/Dabrye dates in September?