You'll hear the precedent for this album in the dustiest corners of Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends, in the tender devotionals of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, and on the sun-baked gospel-soul of Lambchop's Nixon. Idle comp... more »arisons maybe, but it's true that the Kingsbury Manx talk louder through their songs than through contrived image. The best kept secret of Chapel Hill, North Carolina--so much so that when they emerged with this debut album, local commentators refused to believe that it was their work--the Kingsbury Manx are four retiring college graduates who write songs that invigorate the rock form in a way unheard since Built to Spill's Perfect from Now On. This is an album of exquisite moments--check the spine-tingling slide-guitar whirl of "Blue Eurasians," the gorgeous a cappella glide of "Hawaii in Ten Seconds," and frontman Kenneth Stephenson's emotive choral pleas on "Piss Diary." While The Kingsbury Manx is not a stone-cold classic, this is merely the springtime of their existence. A glorious future beckons. --Louis Pattison« less
You'll hear the precedent for this album in the dustiest corners of Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends, in the tender devotionals of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, and on the sun-baked gospel-soul of Lambchop's Nixon. Idle comparisons maybe, but it's true that the Kingsbury Manx talk louder through their songs than through contrived image. The best kept secret of Chapel Hill, North Carolina--so much so that when they emerged with this debut album, local commentators refused to believe that it was their work--the Kingsbury Manx are four retiring college graduates who write songs that invigorate the rock form in a way unheard since Built to Spill's Perfect from Now On. This is an album of exquisite moments--check the spine-tingling slide-guitar whirl of "Blue Eurasians," the gorgeous a cappella glide of "Hawaii in Ten Seconds," and frontman Kenneth Stephenson's emotive choral pleas on "Piss Diary." While The Kingsbury Manx is not a stone-cold classic, this is merely the springtime of their existence. A glorious future beckons. --Louis Pattison
jlmonty | Monroeville, PA United States | 03/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Within the intriguing packaging (dreamy 1970ish cover painting, lack of credits, lyrics, etc.), the Chapel Hill, NC quartet The Kingsbury Manx have created a humble gem. Refreshing in its lack of music-biz glossiness (see above), this album seems like it sprung out of the ground fully formed - it's an awkwardly beautiful, organic, growing thing. Shades of the Velvets, Brian Wilson, New Zealand pop (Chills, JPS Experience), Syd Barrett-era Floyd, even the Dead! (check out "How Cruel") abound, but merely influence-checking this record really trivializes the wondrous sounds of this astounding debut. The album opens with the sleepy, loping "Pageant Square" , then eases into the chilled air of "Regular Hands" - both different sounding tracks, yet both imbued with the sun-dappled gentleness that transcends you into a hazy, leafy world. This feeling is carried even further with the misleadingly titled "Piss Diary", it's sumptuous, autumnal glow passing over you like a blanket from your childhood. The funky wah-wah of "Cross Your EyesÓ leads into the wall-of-sound dirgey jam of "Blue Eurasians", which is in my opinion the weakest cut on the CD (if there is a weak cut!). "Hawaii In Ten Seconds" is acappella, full of ernest, albeit nasal, warmth. "Fields" starts as a sort of psychedelic song-cycle which evolves into some gorgeous acoustic guitar finger-picking (which they should have expanded upon). "New Old Friend Blues" has a mellow, Yo La Tengo-ish vibe that is further enhanced by its tired, lazy vocals which suit the songs feeling entirely. "Whether Or Not It Matters" has the kind of harmonies that you just don't hear anymore - without falling into soppy, Eagle-ish smooth rock - no small feat. The echoey slide guitar that careens throughout the rambling, spacey "Fanfare" washes out into the albums beautiful closer "Silver Trees", a slow, meditative tune with a late-fall, Nick Drake kind of vibe (except that the band uses electric guitar and harmony vocals, yet the feel is still there).Forgive the hyperbole, but the fact that all of these sounds and moods are in one album, and a debut album at that, is extraordinary. If only other artists would take this direction and get back to creating art instead of pedalling image, music would be in a much healthier state. As it is, just be glad that an obscure jewel like The Kingsbury Manx is able to rise to the surface amongst all of the garbage."
Excellent!
jlmonty | 03/31/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I just saw and met these guys last night at a show in Denton, TX. I bought this CD from them. There are a lot of different styles here. Influences range from Elliot Smith and American Analog Set to Palace and Bedhead. They said they were very proud of the album when I asked for a copy, and one can hear why. My fave line: "It's hard not to crumble under the pressure of an angry woman.""
Beautiful desolation
mark briggs | Valparaiso, Indiana | 02/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this record on a whim, one day before a blinding snowstorm in my Indiana hometown. This was perfect timing for repeated listening to an amazing debut. The brutally honest lyrics coupled with the desolate, almost rythmically ambient music create a beautiful bummer of a record. Take some cough medicine, get under the covers, close the curtains, set the cd player on repeat, and call off of work."
Beautiful music
mikefrei | Seattle, WA United States | 09/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Absolutely beautiful CD. I saw The Kingsbury Manx when they opened for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at Irving Plaza in NYC on March 31st, 2001. I had never heard of them before and the place was only half full when they came on. After the first song, however, I stepped out into the hall to buy their CD. It would be hard for me to classify their music, but in the interests of anyone reading this review, I'll try. It is deep, slow, sometimes heavy music. They make great use of the organ and a stand-up base. It is dreamy, sleepy, and harmonious. The only sound I could remotely compare it to would be The Red House Painters (very similar in some ways, but Kingsbury Manx is, I dare say, even more complex) or The Tindersticks. I think if you like either of those two bands, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. It is now like a rare jewel in my music collection, and I am highly anticipating their next release."
A chance encounter in little England
vicky@bunnage.fsnet.co.uk | Manchester | 08/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Leafing through the alternative American section of my local second hand record store in Manchester, England, I chanced upon this album by a band I had never even heard the name of before. The sticker compared them to the Radar Brothers, who I love, so that was enough to make me take a flyer on it. My hunch was right. They do sound like a bit like the RB's, but so much more - maybe that previously unexplored hinterland between them, the Beta Band and the Ladybug Transistor. Whatever, it's gorgeous. Hypnotic, pastoral and melodic - nobody that I've played this to hasn't adored it. This band are clearly special."