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Product Description
Review
“I was making music in my bedroom [during my childhood]. My one rule was not to sound like anyone else.” Judging by his band’s debut album, lead singer Jonathan Higgs rarely had to send himself to the naughty step.
For while you might detect an occasional Yeasayer bass noodle or lei-wearing Vampire Weekend riff, this Manchester quartet flee from any identikit indie clique, throwing ever-changing, protean sonic shapes. They career between time signatures, changing keys and genres – often within bars, let alone songs – as they playfully elude categorisation.
Telling of teenage terrorists, war, homicidal lovers and the human condition, they leap and crackle, Jonathan’s voice a frenetic falsetto bounding like a Labrador on speed, to twisted brass fanfares or military stomps that challenge you to dance then trip you up. They grow wistful and sing in sync to a line of Baroque harpsichord (Two for Nero), or, on Schoolin’, drag you through as much terrain (pop, electro, jazz, funk, prog… and, er, whistling) as the most self-indulgent of Yes epics – but without the soporific effect.
Even on the relatively simple QWERTY Finger, which has an innocuous handclap-and-drums opening, they give us a rushing euphonic mash-up of scaling synths and chasing vocals, before turning and returning, pausing midway for an anthemic break, complete with yelping. Yet this track not only sounds coherent, it’s glorious – despite the fact that here, as on much of Man Alive, the boys seem to be stuck in the surreal environs of semi-consciousness, where Lewis Carroll is king. It’s a place where lyrics such as “So how will they remember us whole when we turn into salt / And it's mine, the fault, mine the dream, and the vein, home of whale-flesh, make soap out of it!” apparently make sense.
Whether they’re talking a load of gibber, spewing poetic profundities or playing auditory jokes (the criminally catchy chorus of Suffragette Suffragette demands a double take) it doesn’t really matter; it merely adds to their quirky brilliance. And it is brilliance. EE are wilfully eccentric, and endlessly entertaining, but they know more than most how to craft a song, how to make an album. They know how to give it depth, light and dark, and they – crucially – know when to stop. Give it a month or two, and the EE wannabes will start to queue up. Luckily for this band, soundalikes are not an option.
--Alix BuscovicFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Q Magazine
Slick art-pop shapes... One of 2010's brightest new talents ****
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
I first heard Everything Everything at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend in Carlisle where I was totally blown away by the bands unique sound. The band seamlessly combines a number genres to come up with this absolute masterpiece. This album was a breath of fresh air in my music collection with excellent tracks such as the interestingly named "MY KZ, UR BF" and "Schoolin". Admittedly the slightly quirky lead vocals from Jonathan Higgs may not be for everyone, but I for one am absolutely in love with this band. The songs are catchy, the instrumental work is amazing, this is a flawless album that I cannot stop listening to.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
An album full of ideas and tricks; some of which score, some hit the post. The vocal style and octave jumps can grate a little but there is little else not to like about this musically diverse and nicely constructed suite of songs. Lots of Yes-style layers of guitar and keyboard with some truly glorious moments. Far more intelligent than your average indy-punk, this is a surprisingly mature and polished offer.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is very rare for me to be inspired by a new band these days, with so many clone bands around churning out the same boring riffs, the same boring production and sound, the same predictable timing and structure. But not with Everthing Everything. I am so glad I stumbled across their Man Alive CD.
I was already utterly blown away with MY KZ, UR BF, and now listening to the rest of the tracks on the album I continue to be very impressed indeed. The production is great, the sound canvas is great, the vocals great. A very well crafted album indeed.
If its true that lead singer Jonathan Higgs said he didnt want to sound like anyone else, then he can pat himself on the back for a damn good attempt.
Anyone looking for something fresh, interesting, entertaining and captivating, then Man Alive will not disappoint.
I was already utterly blown away with MY KZ, UR BF, and now listening to the rest of the tracks on the album I continue to be very impressed indeed. The production is great, the sound canvas is great, the vocals great. A very well crafted album indeed.
If its true that lead singer Jonathan Higgs said he didnt want to sound like anyone else, then he can pat himself on the back for a damn good attempt.
Anyone looking for something fresh, interesting, entertaining and captivating, then Man Alive will not disappoint.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Addictive Listening
Wow! The more I listen to this the more I love it. The lyrics are quirky, the sound is unique, the whole experience is quite alternative but that's what makes this such a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mennis
Clever Clever
I heard a few snippets around the Mercury Prize time and thought it sounded the best of the bunch. It's sort of sounds like early 80s pop made by indie art student types. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jimothy
Very good
I'm old enough to remember the likes of Gentle Giant and there is a hint of GG in this band (that's a good thing in my book!). Read more
Published 4 months ago by ESP
Is this music?
Bought this album on the strength of positive reviews. Experience has taught me to expect a collection of songs on an album, and perhaps naivity has led me to expect a song to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by R. Jenner
So Impressed...
One word review: Brilliant!!
I've only recently discovered this band who are based from my hometown. And what a pleasant surprise this band and album is. Read more
I've only recently discovered this band who are based from my hometown. And what a pleasant surprise this band and album is. Read more
Published 10 months ago by PD Flood
Everything Everything - Man Alive
Geffen Records - August 2010
The sharp changes in vocal tone used in the first track "My KZ Ur BF" express a unique quality to Everything Everything's debut album. Read more
The sharp changes in vocal tone used in the first track "My KZ Ur BF" express a unique quality to Everything Everything's debut album. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Serena Doherty
Rip offs
Having only watched this group perform one song at 'T in the Park'. I was wondering what attracted my attention so much. They are all talented musicians, and look exciting live. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Robin Emmerson
No let down
This album is no let down. Enjoy it. Bit weird in places but if you loved Two Dancers i think you'll love this.
Published 11 months ago by philfoxy
Brilliant
I was channel hopping when I saw Everything Everything on the BBC music weekend thingy. I liked what I heard enough to buy the CD. It is really brilliant. Read more
Published 11 months ago by JSL
Fantastic album,ignore the few numptys on here
This is one of the few albums that is absolutely great from top to bottom, which is a rarity these days. Read more
Published 11 months ago by mega munch
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