2 out of 5

Label: Overcoat

Producer: Jerry Kee

…And the Manx got off to a rousing start with their s/t first album… or not.  I ended up going back and picking this up after spinning “Let You Down” and “Aztec Discipline” several times, and didn’t really return to it so much.  It sets the template for everything to come – a great opener, a track or two that buzz with plugged in guitars, the laid-back production, the harmonies, the lyrics about nothing special – but though it made quite a splash at the time, in retrospect its rather boring in comparison to their following albums.  I’ve commented on my Ouvert review that it took me a while to realize that I wasn’t ever really swayed by the band, but each recording I own has the power to get my toe tapping.  This first one – beyond the gorgeously catchy ‘Pageant Square’ and the mid-album instrumental quirk of ‘Blue Eurasians’ – the latter of which is a version of their signature sound that twists and turns in a way that reappeared on “Aztec” and then sadly fades away for the following albums… fading out into the Wilco way of things and getting all blissed out  – beyond these highlights, a lot of K.M. is incredibly pleasant, but totally snooze-y.  And even ‘Square’ shows they hadn’t quite nailed the formula yet, as once they get to the chorus, the song just recycles and repeats, which is the impression the album gives as a whole – I’d force myself to try to discern lyrics from the shimmering da-da-da sound and after a chorus and verse of any given song, whether it’s the insouciant delivery of the vocals or the meandering wording, it never seemed like Bill Taylor (lead singer..?) was saying something he hadn’t already hushed his way through a minute ago.  I think this was why the deliciously downtrodden opener on “Let You Down” was such a nice changeup, as it introduced some variation mid-song and punched up the rhythm, giving the whole thing more impact, coming across as wholly and purposefully constructed – not just arrived at after stumbling across a comfortable-to-strum-and-hum chord progression.

I get that the Beachwood Sparks vibe will never be a sound I totally get on board with, but the Manx’s first still doesn’t fully capitalize on their strengths, just pitching ideas that it took a couple albums to mold into fleshed out and satisfying songs.