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Manchester Orchestra's Everything Adds Up To Something

Manchester Orchestra’s second album Mean Everything to Nothing adds a glint of maturity to their repertoire.

Manchester Orchestra

Mean Everything To Nothing

Released on Apr 21, 2009

Some people just have all the luck.  Looking at Manchester Orchestra front man, Andy Hull, that statement seems to find a prime prototype.  As it turns out Mean Everything to Nothing, the second full-length release by Manchester Orchestra (third full-length if you’re any kind of Manchester fan) isn’t just another notch on his fanatically talented belt.  This album packs some serious cajones that span the gamut, encompassing musicianship, lyrical prowess and delivery, and a presentation with such style that it may eclipse any other album you have in rotation for the foreseeable future.   

Hull, who started his musical career before he even finished high school, has been hustling ever since in Manchester Orchestra, which was started in 2005, and his emergent side project, Right Away, Great Captain.  It should also be mentioned that all of his combined four LPs and multiple EPs have been released via Hull’s own record label, Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. 

Manchester did some extensive promotion for this album; including exhaustive touring throughout the country, television and press appearances, and starring in high profile music festivals during the past months.  It all seems to have paid off, as the album has received nothing but great reviews  

Weeks prior to the album’s release, Hull premiered several new tracks during an acoustic session for SPIN.com.  Of these, the song “I Can Feel A Hot One,” was included.  I mention this because it is one of Manchester’s most magnificent songs of all time.  Its conclusive lyrics “So I prayed for what I thought were angels/ Ended up being ambulances/ The Lord showed me dreams of my daughter/ She was crying inside your stomach/ And I felt love again,” are nothing short of soulfully delivered, raw, poetic bliss.  The song tells the story of a horrific accident, with mournful prayers culminating in the death of the protagonist’s pregnant wife. 

Closer to the beginning of the album, “Shake It Out,” shows a glimmer of the Manchester Orchestra’s new way.  Containing dark lyrics evocative of prior albums, the composition and lyrical delivery by Hull are completely new.  With harsh, churning yowls that could be compared to those of Mewithoutyou vocalist, Aaron Weiss, this new style is interesting and demands to be heard. 

Mean Everything to Nothing shows great growth from the band’s last release I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child.  I'd go even as far as to compare them to the majesty of bands like Modest Mouse for their performance on tracks like “I’ve Got Friends” and “Pride.”  With long, drawn-out screeches and quirky, even odd timing something is unmistakably similar. 

Concluding with tracks like “Everything To Nothing” and “The River,” Manchester Orchestra returns us to what sounds like singles off of their past albums. The flavor and tempo are there, but they lack the intensity and rawness that seemed to be a focal point for the rest of the album.  There is also a bonus track, “Jimmy, He Whispers,” included after “The River.”   

With tales of love, loneliness, God, temptation, death, and time, Mean Everything to Nothing could have been called “All There is About Everything (That You Didn’t Want to Know).”  This album builds fantastically from where the last one left off.  Growing in lyrical ability, the album portrays cool feelings along with those of love flawlessly.  With unmatched poise Manchester Orchestra ventures where countless others have failed to reach.  This album is assured to soothe even the most abashed ears.   

Posted by Andrew Scott on May 12, 2009 @ 6:00 am