Everything Everything - Man Alive

Everything Everything; the great white hope for Manchester music...except they're not actually from there. With members hailing from Newcastle and Kent, their tag as the latest part of the grand Manc-rock lineage (which, even as a Scouser, I am rather envious of) is a tad misleading. But since they actually formed in Mancunia, I'll let it slide.

To describe EE's and "Man Alive"'s sound without painting in brushstrokes broader than the defecit would be pretty tough. It has been called "indie R&B" which is quite accurate on superb singles "MY KZ, YR BF" and "Schoolin'". The latter could well be sold as a single (or at least a remix) from Jason Derulo or NeYo or whoever and you would happily believe that. At times the band sound something like Radiohead getting their funk on, if only because of frontman Jonathan Everything's (the band have all adopted the surname "Everything" a la The Ramones and to a lesser extent, The Fratellis) falsetto vocals, which could be a sticking point for some delicate-eared listeners.

Another 'Marmite' aspect is sure to be the often-undecipherable lyrics. I for one am looking forward to getting my hands on the CD booklet to work out what the hell they're going about. For example; "You’ve become a smithereen!/(I’m watching that!) Foxhound frolic on the abattoir floor, up in heaven it’s symmetrical oh/ Airbrush! What have you done with my father?/Why does he look like a carving?/How do I live in the present?/I make my own density?" from "Photoshop Handsome". "Suffragette Suffragette"'s refrain of "Who is gonna sit on your face when I'm not there?" will probably gain a mixed reaction from any WI members who happen to be listening, but its Biffy Clyro-esque structure and riffs should be enough to make them discard any outrage that may build.
Whilst the slick jerky pop may be the most common view of EE seen, "Final Form" and "Two For Nero" showcase a softer, if equally complex side. "NASA Is On Your Side" is the highlight of "Man Alive", hinting at Muse when they were still weird and good; all reverbed guitars, bouncing bass and an epic chorus all spread across five minutes and seven seconds of dreamlike alt.pop.

One of the best albums so far this year, "Man Alive" is a debut that had more than a bit of pre-release expectation on it, but that expectation has been met and surpassed, without a doubt. Tipped for great things in the deluge of industry shortlists released at the start of the year, Everything Everything have two possible career trajectories, based on "Man Alive". Either they'll head to the upper echelons of the charts, ushering in an era of intelligent, genre bending pop. Or more likely they'll become a bafflingly huge cult band, making intelligent genre-bending pop. Whichever path they end up on, they're sure to keep creating music that sounds more fresh and original than pretty much everything out there.
8.5/10
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "MY KZ, YR BF", "QWERTY Finger", "Schoolin'", "Photoshop Handsome", "Two For Nero", "NASA Is On Your Side" FOR FANS OF: Radiohead, Muse, most bands classified as dance-punk

Watch The Tapes! feat. Girls, Editors, Mumford & Sons, Johnny Foreigner, Ash, Florence & The Machine, Lily Allen and Everything Everything

Yet another new post catergory type thing. Yeah, basically the best music videos of the past week or so shall be here for your enjoyment/derision/apathy. Obviously this week won't include Jamie T's "The Man's Machine" or Arctic Monkeys' "Cornerstone", as they've got their own posts because they're so special/I've only just thought of this now.

NEU!: featuring Delphic, Everything Everything, Lost Knives and Copy Haho

Neu/new in the most literal sense of the word, as the following four bands are virtually unknown outside of the indie universe. So listening is not only reccomended, it's compulsory as it's pretty likely you'll discover your new favourite band.

DELPHIC - ALTERSTATE
Manchester's great hope have already scored a brace of underground hits with the astounding New Order-esque "Counterpoint" and the slightly more restrained "This Momentary". On "Alterstate", things are taken back even more, resulting in a blissful, hypnotic, almost completely instrumental piece of electro pop. It verges on dub-step with it's pulsating bass and complex beats, coupled with barely-there vocals. Whilst it probably won't propel them into the public conciousness, "Alterstate" is likely to complete a hattrick of indie hits for the Manc foursome, especially as it's available as a free download from their site.
7.5

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING - MY KEYS, YOUR BOYFRIEND
Currently being whispered/shouted about in the "blogosphere" as the next big thing as well as gaining places on preemptive Ones To Watch 2010 lists, EE have one of the best and most confusing pop singles of the year right here. Not pop in the way that wanky alternative bands see their songs as being, despite being as accessible as a chastity belt without having the key, actual pop; choruses, instantaseous hooks and a fantastic bassline. Alright, it's not the typical fair of yer average pop-picker, but with influences as diverse as Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, Radiohead, Dr Dre, The Beta Band, Destiny's Child and The Futureheads, they were never going to churn out JLS-type bilge. It doesn't matter that you can't even make out the lyrics throughout most of the song, since when do the majority of people listen to them anyway? Embrace another Mancunian four-piece that will definitely be going places
9

LOST KNIVES - LEFT ALONE//SHE'S NOT YOU//STATIC
A hotly-anticipated fresh clutch of demos from the Steve Lamacq favourites, written to show the diversity of their canon. Whilst the change in sound isn't exactly the jump from "What Goes On" to "Tomorrow Never Knows" on Rubber Soul, there are a few noticeable differences from the first three demos. "Left Alone" is the most similar, but more focused and driven, whilst "Static" is the early Horrors transformed into an arena band...except great. However, "She's Not You" could very well be Lost Knives' breakthrough track. Fizzing with Interpol-esque guitars, drums crashing like tidal waves and a bassline that Peter Hook would love to have thought up, it slides from a menacing verse to an unexpectedly epic and uplifting chorus, that should have you singing along before the end of the song. This is one more talented Manchester band headed for the top. Bastards. What, me, jealous? No...well yeah, I'd rather have three very exciting local young bands than The Beatles Rockband. Bloody Mancs get all the fun...
7//9//8

COPY HAHO - BRED FOR SKILLS & MAGIC EP
The Glaswegian quartet (yes! they're not from Manchester) are friends with Los Campesinos! and Dananananaykroyd and it certainly shows on this EP. Drums crash about like they're going out of fashion whilst the guitars are the most vibrant and energetic I've heard since Arctic Monkeys' debut. But sharp Sheffieldian post-punk isn't on the menu here. Skewed indie rock is Copy Haho's dish of choice with a whole heap of melody as a side order (okay I'm dropping the food metaphor now). It's probably quite unfair to compare them to their compadres (LC!, Dana and Johnny Foreigner, The Xcerts) but it's inescapable that Haho sound like all of those bands at some point on the EP, kind of like a copycat little brother. The only time the "fight pop" formula is thrown out of the window is on "Bad Blood" which sounds something like a fuzzless, un-angsty Nirvana during the verses and, bizzarely, Oasis in the chorus ("Champagne Supernova" and "All Around The World" in particular). But maybe that's just me. This one little diversion is evidence that Copy Haho can create something that stands out and sounds great at the same time. But for now, it's a case of good songs, but has been done better before.
6.5