Album Review: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Manchester Orchestra's 2006 debut 'Like A Virgin Losing A Child' was one of those albums that was spread by word of mouth and by the end of 2007, they were the band on end of everyone's lips.

It is now 2009 and the band's 2nd record 'Mean Everything to Nothing' has a lot of expectations to live up to. I safely say these expectations have definitely been met.

It springs to life with 'The Only One' a track that sees vocalist Andy Hull declaring he is "the only son of a pastor to do the things I do", whilst the band plays with so much energy at a steady pace that starts off this record on a very high note.

'Shake It Out' is a bassy rock song with the guitars and drummers being as affective as Hull's lyrics and is near flaw-less. Lead off single 'I've Got Friends' is next and is the standard Manchester Orchestra we've come to expect but turned up to maximum level. The mix of Hull's energetic vocals, crashing drums and light piano notes, makes this one of the bands best songs and if there was any evidence needed to show how truly great this band are, here it is.

Fans of the band will know that not only can the band write well-paced rock songs, they can also slow things down and grab your attention, 'Pride' is a dark and deep track with Hull's lyrics and vocals creating an eerie atmosphere. Whilst '100 Dollars' is a slow, brooding track short of the 2 minute mark, that is filled with raw, painful energy that seeps out of Hull's lyrics.

'I Can Feel A Hot One' starts off with a beautiful, ballad-like guitar and allows Hull's lyrics to take center stage whilst the rest of the band play slowly in the background and eventually makes you start and listen and realise how remarkable this band is.

'Everything To Nothing' is the beginning of the end, with layered instrumentation that shows a band that can definitely play tightly together and take charge, when required. Whilst Hull's vocals once again create an eerie atmosphere with a melody that guides its way through to the end.

'The River' concludes the album with a combination of southern-tinged guitar riffs, soft piano keys, distorted guitars and lyrics from an individual who seems defeated from a long journey. It is the perfect ending to a near-flawless album.

I say it is near-flawless as their are one or two tracks that aren't worth mentioning ('In My Teeth' and 'Tony The Tiger') but like the rest of this album there are good songs and fit well into the structure of the record.

'Mean Everything to Nothing' is everything I expected it to be and more. It has all the characteristics of Manchester Orchestra you want; tight musicianship, layed instrumentation, fast songs, slow songs, raw energy, passion and songwriting by Andy Hull, that is years ahead of his early 20's and he is able to become involved in his songs but at the same time, he can position himself into other roles in his stories. He is a brilliant storyteller for a brilliant band.

Overall it is a record that has set the bar high not only for the band's future work but for any other album this year. It is a record that has lived up to the hype of the band and taps on the glass ceiling of the mainstream. In addition to this, it has the potential be a classic record of our generation. Do not be surprised if you hear a lot about this Georgia five-piece before the year is over.

5/5

'Mean Everything to Nothing' by Manchester Orchestra available from April 27th (UK) and April 21st (US) on Favorite Gentlemen/Canvasback.

'Mean Everything to Nothing' is currently streaming in full on MySpace.

Sean Reid