Anybody who's seen Man Man perform knows that their CDs don't do justice to their live shows. They're a visual band: woolly bearded, usually wearing tennis shorts and warpaint, and thrashing around the stage like wildmen to tricky time changes. Rabbit Habits finds the band relying less on shock value and absurdity, and more intent on making a congruent album. Having already tested their boundaries, this is a mature showing, finding the band more relaxed (but still plenty tense), more structured (but still experimental), and more restrained (but still pretty crazy). Like on their prior two albums The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face and Six Demon Bag, the music is exuberant and eclectic, but the tracks are less convoluted by excessive instrumentation. Sure there are a lot of instruments -- distorted electric organs, junkyard percussion, horns and wind instruments, indefinable noises, and a surprising use of xylophone -- but it's spacious and scattered throughout. Variety is the spice. There are times to shake a tail feather (the frenetic Looney Toons vibe of "The Ballad of Butterbean" and the head-jerking bungee cord bounce of "Top Drawer") and times to reminisce (the haunting and heartbreaking sea shanty "Whalebones"). It's like they've learned what they're capable of achieving, and now they're less interested in decadence and more excited by songcraft and pushing the limits within the traditional sense. That said, in Man Man's world, nothing is traditional. Everything is blanketed in a carnival smorgasbord: call it a fusion of klezmer, gypsy punk, and experimental rock that's difficult to compare but most comparable to Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart. Like Trout Mask Replica, this is a thinking man's album, the type that reveals new facets with every listen. It dips and changes pace quite a few times over as singer Honus Honus adapts accordingly, flipping from Hot Hot Heat sandpapery irreverence to Jim Morrison's bellowing grumbles. It's strange and strangely beautiful, dividing equally between a cartoonish frenzy, sluggish flapper numbers, and mellow waltzes. It's still not exactly accessible, but it's their easiest listen to date, and a damn amazing and amusing one, if you're feeling creative.
We've just posted six live videos from Man Man's recent performance at the Varsity Theater on April 18th 2008. Songs featured include: Hurly Burly, Easy Eats or Dirty Doctor Galapagos, Zebra, Big Trouble, Butter Beans, and Top Drawer. Check out the set http://scheduletwo.com/video/man_manA few weeks back we posted a set of Yeasayer videos. They opened up the show for Man Man. Songs featured inc...
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*rating* 7.3*summary* Gypsy strange-mongers Man Man return with more songs; less mindless shouting. That should be a good thing...right?*This two person review is by Ethan E. and Sage Turk*EE: Well, i'm honored the great William Shakespeare has asked me to help do a review.ST: What's that supposed to mean? Oh..right...my last review. Shakespeare never wrote southern influenced short stories ...
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I like tongue twisters and that title, my friend, is a twister for sure.Man Man is a freak show, and their new release Rabbit Habits fits the circus hour just fine.Haven't heard of Man Man yet? Think Scissor Sisters meet The Arcade Fire. Or if you are more into the retro bands, imagine Tom Wait's fronting Devo. Yeah, it makes no sense but it all does in the end. Your ears are happy, aren't ...
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Man Man, one of my favorite live bands, have just announced their fall tour dates. Included within is a return to Louisville, something for which I'm supremely excited. MP3: Man Man - Bulls On Parade (Rage Against the Machine) Man Man Tour Dates Aug 27 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, Oregon Aug 28 Richards on Richards Vancouver Aug 29 Rifflandia Fest... [http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2008/08/1...
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*rating* 7.3*summary* Gypsy strange-mongers Man Man return with more songs; less mindless shouting. That should be a good thing...right?*This two person review is by Ethan E. and Sage Turk*EE: Well, i'm honored the great William Shakespeare has asked me to help do a review.ST: What's that supposed to mean? Oh..right...my last review. Shakespeare never wrote southern influenced short stories ...
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I like tongue twisters and that title, my friend, is a twister for sure.Man Man is a freak show, and their new release Rabbit Habits fits the circus hour just fine.Haven't heard of Man Man yet? Think Scissor Sisters meet The Arcade Fire. Or if you are more into the retro bands, imagine Tom Wait's fronting Devo. Yeah, it makes no sense but it all does in the end. Your ears are happy, aren't ...
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Rabbit Habits is a wonderful step in the evolution of this amazing band. It is, like Six Demon Bag, a step into the past, as is shown by the soulful violin in Jackie. But there is a crisper, cleaner sound about the band. Don't worry, Honus Honus's voice is just as scratchy and tortured as ever, and the percussion is pure vintage pots and pans. They have been able to somehow remain both lo-f...
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We've just posted six live videos from Man Man's recent performance at the Varsity Theater on April 18th 2008. Songs featured include: Hurly Burly, Easy Eats or Dirty Doctor Galapagos, Zebra, Big Trouble, Butter Beans, and Top Drawer. Check out the set http://scheduletwo.com/video/man_manA few weeks back we posted a set of Yeasayer videos. They opened up the show for Man Man. Songs featured inc...
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Michael Cera, Matt Damon, and Mary-Louise Parker haven't joined Man Man (yet), but the junkyard troubadours seem fine without them. They've played shows upon shows in support of their Anti- debut, Rabbit Habits , and after spending recent months in Europe, the Philly band will return to North America this summer and fall. Man Man have headlining dates and festival appearances scheduled un...
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After seeing a Pitchfork video last year chronicling some of the recording sessions and general mayhem Man Man was up to I've been impatiently awaiting the release of their next album. Their last release, Six Demon Bag, was one of those rare albums that finds its way immediately into a heavy rotation of being played on a daily basis for a long period of t...
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Man Man have released their second video for a song off their 2008 album "Rabbit Habits". The video features Fred Armisen, being hilarious and getting chased by Martin Starr, and Charlene Yi who portray a werewolf couple chasing him. You can watch the video below.Man Man -...Click the link to read more
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Very cool artwork for this Man Man gig in Danbury, Connecticut. That's all, just appreciating the art. But hey, if you are in the area you definitely need to see these wackos live!October 12, 7:00pm $12Heirloom Arts Theater155 Main Street (Danbury, CT)with Time Fite and Bottle Up & GoAND Man Man's third full-length Rabbit Habits it's out now, get it here ;)"Big Trouble" | downloadMan Man | Tour...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Mister Jung Stuffed |
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| 2 Hurly/Burly |
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| 3 The Ballad of Butter Beans |
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| 4 Big Trouble |
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| 5 Mysteries Of the Universe Unraveled |
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| 6 Doo Right |
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| 7 Easy Eats or Dirty Doctor Galapagos |
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| 8 Harpoon Fever (Queenquegs Playhouse) |
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| 9 El Azteca |
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| 10 Rabbit Habits |
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| 11 Top Drawer |
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| 12 Poor Jackie |
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| 13 Whale Bones |
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 "Rabbit Habits")
