What would it be like if you gave a group of unstable asylum patients a few instruments, and asked them to come up with 13 tunes? I reckon it would not sound dissimilar to Philadelphia’s Man Man. By ‘Rabbit Habits’ opening tracks’ lyrics “Been locked down way too long” I believe I’m right. To compare this group of misfits to any other band at the moment would be futile; no one else makes anything like the odd cacophony of noise that they make.
One highlight would be third track ‘Ballad Of Butterbean’. After an introduction by genteel chimes, what follows sounds like Patrick Moore or Evelyn Glennie going nuts on a xylophone, whilst being backed by Benny Hill chase music. Despite this, the backing vocals are a plaintive call to love…of course they’re not; “Butter Beans I’m going to get you”!! “Pigs feet and snake piss, crow tongue and cat face”? Okaaaay….
After this ode to black magic comes ‘Big Trouble’ which, like closing track ‘Whalebones’, sounds like a trad jazz band that has necked a load of ketamine, with its lazy, lilting brass. This is followed by the doo wop stylings of ‘Doo Right’. I guess the title kind of gives it away!
As you can tell there are so many musical touch points to this album that it is impossible to compare it to anything. The album sounds fun (see ‘El Azteca’ which starts like a polka version of Azzido Da Bass’ ‘Dooms Night’ and then descends into a gypsy number as performed by Metal Mickey and chums) but you get the feeling that, like Zappa and Beefheart there is a serious, and seriously eccentric, mind behind it all in gravel voiced leader Honus Honus.
The most rock-by-numbers tune is the title track, an almost moving ballad backed by stabbing piano and beautiful oboe. However, this move towards the run of the mill is swiftly halted by the onslaught that is ‘Harpoon Fever (Queequeg’s Playhouse)’. Jumping around like a flea with girl / grizzly bear call and response vocals, this track takes us back into the realm of the Twilight Zone.
Peruse this album and you will find waltz’s (a common theme on all 3 of Man Man’s albums) Doo Wop, Balkan gypsy, trad jazz plus more. But beware you may also find your new favourite band.
Top Tracks: ‘Ballad Of Butterbean’, ‘Big Trouble.
Released 07/04/08 on Pinnacle.
Posted by Geoff on April 08, 2008
