the manic shine – and so she thinks

The Manic Shine – Let Go Or Be Dragged

admin — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:29:02 +0000

Rock band The Manic Shine claim to have discovered an illness called ‘Sickotrashmusicitis’. Described as the ‘chronic feeling of lethargy and nausea when listening to music on mainstream radio’, it seems to have only one cure. No prizes for guessing what that might be.
It’s a fun quote that does an excellent job of signalling their intentions early – they are looking to bring something different to the table, a true alternative to popular culture. The question is whether The Manic Shine can deliver on that promise.
In a sense they certainly do. Many of the tracks on their latest album Let Go Or Be Dragged couldn’t be further from the playlist material of most mainstream and commercial radio stations, and they’re all the better for it even if they won’t bust any blocks. The sound of the band is heavily driven by the rhythm section, with the drums and excellent bass guitar parts weave in and out of one another with great skill – this is technically proficient rock as played by skilled musicians, and the lengthy tracks often include musical interludes which arguably outshine the vocal led sections.
The production values on the LP are excellent by any standards, with each of the many musical layers shining through at all the right times, and the more you listen to the album the more you enjoy what’s going on underneath. Live the band fuse electronica influence with reggae, and deliver the cure in the form of strong rock, stellar bass playing and well written tunes. Talent and tenacity abound, and with NME, BBC Introducing and Music Week all on board, 2013 could be their year.

The Great Escape 2012 – Festival Special!

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:40:40 +0000

It’s that time of year again, when It’s All Happening, along with thousands of music fans, hundreds of bands and a good percentage of the music industry head down to sunny Brighton, for The Great Escape. I could wax lyrical about it, but I will just let our special edition zine do the talking…
In it you’ll find our opinion on the following 57 bands, as well as where and when they are playing, to help you plan your weekend around maximum musical pleasure …Cut Ribbons, Deaf Club, Among Brothers, Alabama Shakes, Dry The River, Common Tongues, Mujeres, Me And The Bees, Ninette & The Goldfish, Seward, Amics del Bos, Oso Leone, The Suicide of Western C ulture, Furguson, The Robbie Boyd Band, Wet Nuns, Sonic Boom Six, Swim Deep, Yukon Blonde, Bos Angeles, Toy, Alt J, Maximo Park, Mystery Jets, Chew Lips, Dakota Beats, The Front Bottoms, Shabazz Palaces, Pikachunes, Tripple Nipples, BOY, Emily & The Woods, Rae Morris, Slow Down Molasses, Tall Ships, Fanzine, The Switch, Worship, Concrete Knives, Mammal Club, Saint Saviour, Spring Offensive, Gunning For Tamar, Clock Opera, Hymns, Dems, Munich, Escaoists, Team Me, The Joy Formidable, Warpaint, Katzenjammer, Rachel Sermanni, The Manic Shine, Hatcham Social, The Temper Trap & Jack Savoretti.
As well as the IAH team (Dan, John, Greta, Caroline, Michael, Katie and Francesca) the lovely Jen Long (BBC Radio 1), Chris Foster (Pop Noodle), Jordan Thomas (Recharged Radio), Ellie Coden – (Fierce Panda), and Steven Boniface (Labelled Independent) have all written guest articles – thanks guys!

Open publication – Free publishing – More bands

The Manic Shine – Blindsider

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:21:54 +0000

Released 26th March 2012 on The Animal Farm

Reviewed by Steve Boniface

Rock band The Manic Shine claim to have discovered an illness called ‘Sickotrashmusicitis’. Described as the ‘chronic feeling of lethargy and nausea when listening to music on mainstream radio’, it seems to have only one cure. No prizes for guessing what that might be.
It’s a fun quote that does an excellent job of signalling their intentions early – they are looking to bring something different to the table, a true alternative to popular culture. The question is whether The Manic Shine can deliver on that promise.
In a sense they certainly do. Many of the tracks on album Blindsider couldn’t be further from the playlist material of most mainstream and commercial radio stations, and they’re all the better for it even if they won’t bust any blocks.
The production values on this LP are excellent by any standards, with each of the many musical layers shining through at all the right times. This is technically proficient rock as played by skilled musicians, and the lengthy tracks often include musical interludes which arguably outshine the vocal led sections.
The sound of the band is heavily driven by the rhythm section, with the drums and excellent bass guitar parts weave in and out of one another with great skill. The guitar and vocals are good too, but the more you listen to the album the more you enjoy what’s going on underneath. As a result, this album isn’t one that makes a major initial impact. Give it a few listens though, and it will reward you.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWTTon8K2c]
Track highlights include My Woman (the recent single), as well as The Poet and the Lullabye, which has a marked electronica influence. The reggae infused, slower Til Your Pockets Glow is also a decent change of pace – reminiscent of Incubus in their heyday and arguably the most radio friendly of the tracks.
Overall, this is a strong rock LP with a lot to offer if given the chance. I’d be very interested to hear the next release, and see how the sound develops over time. In the meantime though, this album is worth your time – especially if you’re a fan of well written rock and/or good bass guitar players.

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