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UNWIND!
Maryland First Arts, Entertainment and Culture Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 October 2001 |
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MANNIX: Signs of Improvement Mannix - Come to California |
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| Who needs a label to produce a album? The indie rock quartet Mannix, hailing from New York, just released their second CD, "Come to California." The band, which compares themselves to Wilco (see feature on page 4) and the Wallflowers, has shown great strides of improvement from their first album "Pretty Strange." "Come to California" exhibits great growth in the whole band, but especially lead man Joe Mannix. Joe has changed his vocal stylings from a Thom Yorke-like whine to a much more mellow and ear-appealing type of singing. The band has also expanded on the album from their standard two guitar, bass, and drums format featuring piano and horns on many of the albums tracks. The title track is a fitting lead to the album. "Come to California" is a straight rock tune speaking of a longing for change. "It's been two years since you came through hellfire and high water/ I know you still hear her whispering "Come back to California." |
This song shows what used to make Mannix a good band, their old musical style-- upbeat guitar riffs, standard drums, and spattered with solos. As the album continues through, it becomes clear that Mannix can still do what they did, but have improved on it, to perhaps rise out of the anonymity of many indie rock bands.
"Holding it all together" is reminiscent of 70's Pink Floyd, using walking bass and well placed guitar chords that shine. "Geraldine" takes advantage of the acoustic sound that the band has been successful at producing, but calls in the rest of the bands instrumentation better than previous attempts. The mix is never too powerful, but never leaves anything to be desired. |
"Sunset and Vine" highlights
a strong bass intro and uses and interpolation of "Stuck in the
Middle" as well as harmonies and strong lead riffs to give the
listener an image of a lonely musician chasing a girl. Producer
Caleb Southern of Ben Folds Five production fame has figured out what
it takes to pull Mannix together and put out a great album.
The problem the band still faces is getting beyond the unknown phase that many great indie bands get stuck in. Mannix does have the potential to be the next Wallflowers or even bigger, but also the possibility to never to heard from again, but an album like "Come to California," leaves a distinct possibility that the latter is not very likely.
Editor's Note: Mannix will be playing
this Friday, October 26th at the Iota Cafe in Arlington. Tickets
are $8. For more information go to www.mannixrock.com. |
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