So, Manitoba then...

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Twee shoegazer electronica, could be worthy...

Of course you'll love it Kate, its Canadian!

Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 1 April 2003 16:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

I havent heard it, but I really want to hate it.

David Allen, Tuesday, 1 April 2003 19:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

Re the Capitol K stuff - They were fucking awful last week supporting Manitoba, for some reason he seems to have gone down the sleazenation/bad haircut electro nonsense route rather then the lovely guitar/beats stuff that he's been doing in the past - Seen him 4-5 times over the last few years and he's always been fantastic - Until then.
Hope he sorts it out before the album.

Manitoba on the other hand were something else, can't wait to see them again soon.

ActionJackson, Wednesday, 2 April 2003 10:36 (twenty-one years ago) link

manitoba- didnt give it a chance but i wasnt amazed. buts onltyy because i wanted some more speed garage from him.
tony mnorley - hes a good dj. i had fun dancing alone in an empty tent at sonar last year, to 'ramp'.

ambrose (ambrose), Wednesday, 2 April 2003 14:11 (twenty-one years ago) link

Am I the only one who was totally underwhelmed by this?
It's okay, but...

Hm. That's where I am so far on this so far. So, uh, beats with semi-psychedelic pop rock grooves. It's nice. Nice. But considering all of the praise upthread I am, so far, feeling let down. I was expecting MBV or Spiritualized kinda stuff and instead I'm hearing more...oh, Soup Dragons or Kula Shaker. I'm only on track three so far though, so maybe something will change, or maybe repeated listenings will bring out its charms.

Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 3 April 2003 17:37 (twenty-one years ago) link

give it time, sean. i like the last track alot.

dyson (dyson), Thursday, 3 April 2003 19:01 (twenty-one years ago) link

I've just put it onto my Jukebox, so I'll play it s'more and let it sink in. The last track was okay but still...no immediate WOW reaction to anything here yet.

Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 3 April 2003 22:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

I only just listened to it myself, and it warms my grouchy little drone rock heart. The album it's closest to in sound is Spacemen 3's Recurring - the reverse-reverb vocals, two-chords into infinity, tinkle tinkle guitar melodies over some musical horn/keyboard splats, even a brief piece of guitars over handclapping.

It's not the electro-shoegaze verison of Smile, but it's worth checking out. Better than a lot of the crap I've heard lately.

Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Friday, 4 April 2003 00:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

So I come back from my lunch break, which I spent specifically trying to find the Joy Zipper and Manitoba albums having heard a fab track by each on the new [insert UK music mag nobody here seems to like on the grounds that the writing's rubbish - true - but they cover lots of very good stuff and their cover CD is invariably 70% excellent - also true] CD...and shop bloke hasn't even heard of the former and didn't order the latter in cos he hated Start Breaking My Heart!

Gah!

Double gah!

I neeed Manitoba...

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Friday, 4 April 2003 01:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

Sean -- This seems like the kind of record where first impressions are definitive. I don't think of it as a "grower." So if you're still underwhelmed, it might not do it for you. Weird to read Spiritualized comparisons, I don't really get that. But then I really dislike Spiritualized.

Mark (MarkR), Friday, 4 April 2003 11:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

"insert UK music mag nobody here seems to like on the grounds that the writing's rubbish - true - but they cover lots of very good stuff and their cover CD is invariably 70% excellent - also true"

X-Ray then by any chance... Up In Flames is a killer record btw... Manitoba did a v good live show at 100 club in london last week if anyone's interested...

Dave Stelfox, Friday, 4 April 2003 11:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

when i've seen him live it's been real dull

dyson (dyson), Saturday, 5 April 2003 03:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

he's got a full live band now - totally different to the laptop shows.

toby (tsg20), Saturday, 5 April 2003 09:27 (twenty-one years ago) link

And add in the factor that he is a totally nice guy - met him several times - he used to live in Dundas, Ontario (a small village outside of Hamilton, Ontario) ... I give props, like Kate does, too Canadiana and especially brililant Canadiana.

Sonny Tremaine (Sonny), Saturday, 5 April 2003 09:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

I can't believe how different the two Lps are. Both great though. Glad to hear it's worth going to see him/them - I was thinking of travelling to Nottingham and seeing him there as he doesn't appear to be coming to Manchester (unless I've missed something, which is quite possible). What does this "full live band" consist of?

It's funny how many great records seem to have come from Canada (or Canadians) since my girlfriend moved here from Toronto. Not that the two are related, I'm sure.

Tag (Tag), Saturday, 5 April 2003 15:05 (twenty-one years ago) link

a full band you say? that, i gotta see. how big a band is it?
i've seen his 'laptop' shows in hamilton and his complete and utter niceness did somewhat make-up for the less-than-thrilling live aspect.

dyson (dyson), Saturday, 5 April 2003 15:21 (twenty-one years ago) link

full live band = only 3 of them, admittedly, with the vocals coming off dats. but two drummers! and they wear bear masks!

this thread shd prob be linked to: Tell me about Manitoba

toby (tsg20), Saturday, 5 April 2003 16:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

Hmmm. I'm a LITTLE bit disappointed after all that. It has some moments, notably the last track, but it doesn't have quite the breadth of ideas of Cornelius, say.

Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Saturday, 5 April 2003 17:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

Bear masks?? I'm going!

My feeling was almost that Cornelius suffered from too many ideas and trying to get them all down at once, so the result was strangely unmoving. "Up in flames" seems to flow better.

Tag (Tag), Saturday, 5 April 2003 17:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

I thought if anything the problem with UIF was that he occasionally moves from one idea to the next too quickly. Mind you, I'm not familiar with Cornelius, so p'raps I outta check him out.

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Sunday, 6 April 2003 09:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

Cornelius is pretty spesh... however, I thoight manitoba's masks were pigs not bears... thought they had a bit of a lord of the flies thing going on... are my eyes going...

Dave Stelfox, Sunday, 6 April 2003 10:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

nice guy goes scary?

gaz (gaz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 10:48 (twenty-one years ago) link

The album is anything but scary. It's joyful!

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Sunday, 6 April 2003 19:45 (twenty-one years ago) link

And it's now reviewed here.

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Sunday, 6 April 2003 21:12 (twenty-one years ago) link

X-Ray then by any chance

Actually no, it was Jockey Slut. Not seen X-Ray yet.

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Sunday, 6 April 2003 21:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

You know, I hate to say this, and boy are you gonna laugh, but I'm laughing more...

Bought the Manitoba album at the weekend. Do you know, it is almost AN EXACT COPY of the second Chapterhouse album? You know, the one that no one bought cause they went all techno. Right down to the breathy backwards reverbed vocals. The beats, the guitar texture, the treatment, especially the vocals. The ambient techno/shoegazer crossover never happened in 1993, but it's happening in 2003. This makes me laugh SO HARD.

It's a nice album, I'll give you that. I'm not sure that it's a GREAT album. But my god, does it sound like Chapterhouse.

kate, Monday, 7 April 2003 08:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

Yeah? Bonkers. I must hear that some time then. I still view Manitoba as being more elctronica than rock though; I'm a sucker for clicks and fizzpops and kids laughing and so on; I'm not sure I'd like it as much coming from the other direction.

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 7 April 2003 08:47 (twenty-one years ago) link

Good God, what an utterly, utterly brilliant record, I'm going to be listening to this all summer and if anyone's birthday gets in the way then this is what they're getting, and they will love it, just love it. It's the Chemical Brothers not worrying about how it'll play at Cream, Miles Davis born forty years later, Kurt Vonnegut introducing John Lennon to Kevin Shields. Yes, it might be derivative, but just try integrating the bugger - the man's a pure mathematician, he knows what he's doing.

Just read Nick's review, it's all true.

Mike (mratford), Monday, 7 April 2003 22:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

Fuck, Kate, I think you've just put your finger on it for me. You're talking about Blood Music, right? I remember liking that album a lot when it came out and that's probably why this one sounds so...familiar to me.

Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Monday, 7 April 2003 23:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

Yes! Blood Music! Sorry, I had forgotten the name of it. There *is* a strong similiarity - most obviously the breathy, whispered backwards reverb vocals and the DRUMS. I am ashamed to admit I really liked Blood Music when it came out, too. :-)

kate, Tuesday, 8 April 2003 07:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Just got it. I think it is just fine.

Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

Actually its more than fine. The track "Paul's Birthday" gives me the horn.

Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:30 (twenty-one years ago) link

Saxophone or trumpet? Or maybe even ... ::gasp:: ... trombone?

kate, Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:32 (twenty-one years ago) link

Um, isn't Paul's Birthday on his first album...?

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:35 (twenty-one years ago) link

No, Kate. Cock. I'm talking about cock.

Have I gone and got his first one here? Oh poobum!

Lynskey (Lynskey), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:35 (twenty-one years ago) link

Hornfarmer!

kate, Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

His first one is pretty good as well. Could you not tell when it was all laptronica electro blipness and not Chems-meets-MBV noise chaos???

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

I thought it was singularly unimpressive, Nick. Though I think the first album is beyond good into great bordering on genius.

My favourite thing of his remains his remix of a Four Tet track on the Paws EP.

Cozen (Cozen), Friday, 11 April 2003 17:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

Really? I'm surprised. I like the first album but I've never been overly impressed.

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Saturday, 12 April 2003 09:12 (twenty-one years ago) link

Damn I love this Up in Flames CD. Manitoba is touring with Prefuse 73 and Four Tet at the end of May... should be good shows, then.

Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

Damn I love this Up in Flames CD. Manitoba is touring with Prefuse 73 and Four Tet at the end of May... should be good shows, then.

Jesus where? UK? Tell me more now please please! What a frickin' lineup!

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Thursday, 17 April 2003 06:21 (twenty-one years ago) link

Dates set so far:

05-07 Atlanta, GA - Echo Lounge
05-08 New Orleans, LA - The Parish
05-09 Houston, TX - Rhythm Room
05-10 Austin, TX - Emo's
05-11 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
05-14 San Diego, CA - Casbah
05-15 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
05-16 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
05-17 Portland, OR - Plan B
05-18 Vancouver, BC - Commodore
05-19 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
05-22 Minneapolis, MN - Ascot Room *
05-23 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
05-24 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center *
05-25 Detroit, MI - Majestic Theater *
05-26 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
05-27 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace *
05-28 Montreal, PQ - Cabaret Music Hall *
05-29 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
05-30 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
05-31 Cambridge, MA - Paradise *
06-01 Philadelphia, PA - Transit *

* - with Manitoba (full live band show) and Four Tet (live)

nader (nader), Thursday, 17 April 2003 11:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

The psychadelia of "Up In Flames" is its most winning quality while its fantastic drums and great drums tie for second place. Or maybe it's just the alleged psych-quality brought me to Manitoba's doorstep and I enjoy that what I came to hear/expect most.

As I'm snorkeling in its undercurrents and as I can't say this often enough, if you like to backstroke psychadelia's seas, love The Circulatory System with me. It's neither laptop nor electronic (not really), yet melodic wall of sound moments aplenty.

(The above link will take you to a few mp3s and videos.)

nader (nader), Thursday, 17 April 2003 11:37 (twenty-one years ago) link

Charlie, from what I remember they are playing with that line-up in Scotland, some other places in the uk but horribly, not London.

chris (chris), Thursday, 17 April 2003 11:53 (twenty-one years ago) link

Oh no, poor ickle London.

Tag (Tag), Thursday, 17 April 2003 12:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

i finally bought it. it's fantastic. all the press comparisons are pretty much OTM - a more rhythmic/electronic take on early mercury rev / spiritualized / mbv. it comes off much better than cornelius, btw, as it works well as a whole, as opposed to being frustrating/inspired in equal measures.

i think it's closest relation is mercury rev's "See you on the other side". both very much a complete piece of work, not a collection of songs, and both have a real jazz-pop feel. its my fave of the year so far, but i haven't heard much yet.

weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 17 April 2003 22:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

I just got two Cornelius albums and I must say the similarities for me are very clear; but, while I like the Cornelius A LOT, the Manitoba does it better for me. I love this record so much. It's almost as if Manitoba and Cornelius are heading towards the same point from opposite sides. NB; Must listen to SYOTOS again soon. Always loved Sudden Ray Of Hope.

Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 17 April 2003 22:38 (twenty-one years ago) link


the references to mercury rev and cornelius are above are def. otm to me.

a great album.

m.

msp, Thursday, 17 April 2003 22:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

More Manitoba dates (see venues for touring mates):


APRIL '03

Saturday 19th
FZW
Dortmund, Germany
w/ Murcof

Sunday 20th
Scheune
Dresden, Germany

Tuesday 22nd
Trauma
Marburg, Germany

Wednesday 23rd
Roter Salon
Berlin, Germany
w/ Barbara Morgenstern

Thursday 24th
Le Printemps de Bourges Festival
Bourges, France
w/ Tony Morley DJ

Friday 25th
Triptych Festival, The Venue
Edinburgh, UK
w/ Murcof, Tony Morley DJ

Sunday 27th
Triptych Festival, Tron
Glasgow, UK
w/ Murcof, Tony Morley DJ

Tuesday 29th
V.K. Club
Brussels, Belgium
w/ Eardrum, Murcof


MAY '03

Tuesday 6th
Rescue Rooms
Nottingham, UK
w/ Four Tet, Icarus

Wednesday 7th
Thekla
Bristol, UK
w/ Four Tet, Icarus

nader (nader), Friday, 18 April 2003 12:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

when he's here in the t-dot (on the 27th) it's with prefuse (who's pritty good live). only 15 canadian pesos too¡

i'm in there like swimwear.

dyson (dyson), Friday, 18 April 2003 16:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

Weirdly, I have "Start Breaking My Heart" but have almost never listened to it

bitch hooligan, pussy ass nobrain dårk (country matters), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:23 (fifteen years ago) link

Milk might actually be my most-played these days, just because it sits very nicely as music for music's sake without being too mentalist or pop.

Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:27 (fifteen years ago) link

which is the most mentalist one

bitch hooligan, pussy ass nobrain dårk (country matters), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:28 (fifteen years ago) link

Up In Flames, I'd say; it's the most breakneck, ideas-per-minute one. Milk is calmer, more laidback.

Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:32 (fifteen years ago) link

Ha, well, there's actually no guarantee I'd prefer UIF these days. We'll see.

bitch hooligan, pussy ass nobrain dårk (country matters), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:33 (fifteen years ago) link

Milk is still pretty fucking mental.

Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Thursday, 26 February 2009 13:43 (fifteen years ago) link

Up in Flames would be in my top 30 or so albums this decade. A landmark album.

ilxor, Thursday, 26 February 2009 15:51 (fifteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

Am liking Up In Flames muchly!

leigh exodus (country matters), Sunday, 22 March 2009 19:25 (fifteen years ago) link

(yeah, I am on a bit of a "soooo what's Southall recommended me during my ILX'n years" tip at present, largely brought about by the dearth of new interesting music in 2009)

leigh exodus (country matters), Sunday, 22 March 2009 19:26 (fifteen years ago) link

(also brought about by Spotify)

leigh exodus (country matters), Sunday, 22 March 2009 19:27 (fifteen years ago) link

So far, Milk is possibly even better

leigh exodus (country matters), Sunday, 22 March 2009 19:54 (fifteen years ago) link

Up in Flames would be in my top 30 or so albums this decade. A landmark album.

Yeah, I think it's a special disc, too. Not as enthusiastic about his work since then.

Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 22 March 2009 20:22 (fifteen years ago) link

The deluxe edition of UIF is excellent, too. The B-Sides of all his albums are nearly as good as the studio material, and he puts out so much material!

talrose, Sunday, 22 March 2009 20:33 (fifteen years ago) link

I wasn't feeling Milk too much, but thought Andorra was fantastic -- that was a top 10 of the year for me. It's his shimmery summery psych-"pop" record, if anything is.

ilxor, Sunday, 22 March 2009 20:37 (fifteen years ago) link


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