Search - Kingsbury Manx :: Fast Rise & Fall of the South

Hypnotically melodic downbeat shoe-gazery pop

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 12/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though there are modern touch points for this Chapel Hill, NC quartet's music -- Belle & Sebastian, for example -- the slightly sing-song vocals are often mindful of Village Green-era Ray Davies delivered in Zombies-styled minor keys with the hypno-dreamy style and far-ranging rock-electronica of Meddle-era Pink Floyd touched by freneticism of The Feelies. It's a smooth brew that produces flashes of recognition without ever dwelling on any one influence long enough to copy. And more to the point, the influences meld beautifully to produce hauntingly melodic songs that have both a folk-psych base and an electric-pop finish. Much like the tree branches in the cover photo, the music is spare in its dreamtime temperament, but complex in actual arrangement. Full kit drums are mixed low behind languid keyboards and stormy guitar feedback, with gentle acoustic guitars that are topped with pensive vocals. Penned entirely by Manx guitarist Bill Taylor, the album's mood ebbs and flows with impressionistic lyrics of hard work, misunderstandings and dashed expectations. All in all, a captivating disc. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]"

Very good

alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 10/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Kingsbury Manx are a band that have been around for five years. They are from North Carolina. They are known for exotic psychedelic music. I have seen them play in New York City a few times. It's been loud, wild, and entertaining. This record is a little different. A guy from the band Wilco produced it. One member, Bill Taylor, wrote the whole album. It is more acoustic and it is a quieter affair. "What A Shame" is almost like a Beatles song. Many of the songs start with a guitar strum or a piano line. This is a band that is inventive and very musical. "900 Years" has an interesting vocal part. They are a talented bunch that are becoming more like Wilco, M. Ward, and Sparklehorse. Maybe if they play more across the country, more people will absorb their potential. This is great stuff. It may be one of those great records that will be rediscovered again and again.





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