Looney Tunes CD's

Mean Everything To Nothing is the second studio album from the Atlanta musicians Manchester Orchestra, released April 21, 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.

Prior to the album's release, Absolutepunk.net premiered a video of "The Only One" on March 3, 2009. Spin Magazine premiered another one, for "Shake It Out", on March 24, 2009. A third video, one for lead single "I've Got Friends", was released on April 7, 2009. On April 13, 2009, the full album was uploaded to the band's MySpace for streaming.

Reception

Mean Everything to Nothing was warmly received by critics. It currently holds an aggregated score of 70 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favourable reviews" based on 14 professional reviews and 8.2/10 based on 9 user votes.

Alternative Press reviewer Tim Karan awarded a maximum score of 5/5 and heaped praise on the album. He stated, "With 'Nothing, Manchester Orchestra have created what will ineveitably be regarded as one of the landmark releases of 2009, and more noticeable they've exceeded the hype that's surrounded them for nearly three years". Jason Tate, founder of AbsolutePunk.net scored the album at 93%. He opened his review with the line, "Quick note to the rest of the albums coming out this year: The bar has just been set". He praised the album as "classic" and went on to add, "Between the crashing sounds, the subtle whispers, the vocal chants, and the emotional reaction – we have the makings of a classic. We have an album that clearly bridges the gap between mainstream and underground". IGN praised the album as "outstanding" and gave a score of 9.0/10. Reviewer, Brian Linder wrote, "Mean Everything to Nothing is an incredibly dynamic rock trip that will have you rapt from start to finish. And while Hull's lyrical inclination is to leave us with more questions than answers, the one thing that's certain is that this band is about to blow up". Chris Willman of Paste Magazine also lauded the album. Awarding a score of 91%, he commmented that, "The young band has learned a great secret: It’s possible to make a massive, commercial, go-for-the-gusto Rock Record while still holding on to dark idiosyncrasies and seriousness of purpose". Sputnikmusic's Matt Wolfe gave a 4/5 rating. Although he said the album was just short of being "classic indie rock", he summarised, "Mean Everything to Nothing is an excellent record, but no better or worse than its predecessor. It’s just different". Punknews were also largely favourable in their review, rating the album at 4/5. They described the album as "Confoundingly consistent and vividly varied, Mean Everything to Nothing easily surpasses Manchester's previous output and provides a stark album of contrasting moods, layered fervor and modestly orchestral flow". They also commended Andy Hull for his maturing songwriting. "It remains an exciting and considerably accomplished effort. This only being the sophomore try and Hull barely drinking age, it's a little unnerving to think what they could even conceive later on". Rockfeedback journalist Liane Escorza described the album as one, "to play loud and proud, classically melding extreme textures across its dynamics, lyrics and melodies." She awarded 4 stars out of 5 and added, "Mean Everything To Nothing is a true work of bravery". Other positive reviews included British publications, Kerrang! and NME, who awarded scores of 4/5 and 7/10 respectively. Some reviews were less favourable, particularly Pitchfork Media. Scoring the album at 5.2, Eric Harvey gave a mixed review. Both praising and criticizing Hull's lyrical themes. "For a kid barely able to legally drink, Hull's got the exhaustion of middle age. And that's the thing that both defines Manchester Orchestra at this point, as well as what stops them from being great. When they're satisfied with rocking the fuck out, they do it exceedingly well, but when they try to acquire the adult answers, they'd do well to chill out and enjoy being young". Q Magazine were also more critical, awarding 2 stars out of 5. They bemoaned, "Their second album is suitably heavy on post-adolescent angst but, for all frontman Andy Hull's best efforts, singularly lacking its own voice. Q (Magazine) June 2009, p.134 -- 2 stars out of 5 -- "Their second album is suitably heavy on post-adolescent angst but, for all frontman Andy Hull's best efforts, singularly lacking it's own voice."

Personnel

The following personnel contributed to Mean Everything to Nothing:

Manchester Orchestra

*Andy Hull - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keys, lyrics

*Robert Mcdowell - lead guitar, vocals, keys

*Jonathan Corley - bass guitar, backing vocals

*Jeremiah Edmond - drums, percussion, art direction

*Chris Freeman - additional percussion, keys, backing vocals

Additional musicians

*Dan Hannon - electric guitar, keys

*Oliver Kraus - cello, violin

*Erica Froman - handclaps, vocals

*Mary Alice Hull - handclaps, vocals

Production

*Joe Chiccarelli - producer, mixing

*Dan Hannon - co-producer, engineering

*Ted Jensen - mastering

*Brad Fisher - assistant engineer

*Brian Manley - design layout, artwork, photography

*James Minchin - additional photography

Fourteen Years of Excellence EP

Fourteen Years Of Excellence is the fourth EP released by the band Manchester Orchestra, available on April 18, 2009 at select indie record stores as an exclusive release for Record Store Day. The limited edition EP came free with a purchase of Mean Everything To Nothing. Tracks 1 and 3 were done with Joe Chiccarelli while tracking Mean Everything To Nothing. Track 2 was done by Matt Mallpass and track 4 by Robert Mcdowell.

;Track listing

# "Anne Louise" – 2:41

# "It's Ok With Me" – 4:37

# "Do You Really Like Being Alone" – 5:06

# "Shake It Out (Alternate Version)" – 5:30

References

Artist/Band Information

Manchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005. The group is made up of rhythm guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley and, currently, replacement drummer Len Clark. Former drummer Jeremiah Edmond parted ways with the band in January 2010 to focus on his family as well as running the band's record label, Favorite Gentlemen.

To date they have released several extended plays and two studio albums to critical praise – I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child (2006) and Mean Everything to Nothing (2009). They are currently signed to independent record label Favorite Gentlemen Recordings which is distributed through Sony Music Entertainment.

History

Manchester Orchestra originated in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. They are named after the English City Manchester, a place rich in musical history (The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis, New Order, Happy Mondays) Feeling increasingly alienated at his "small-town-Georgia, Christian high school" named Providence Christian Academy, in suburban Atlanta, the band's lead singer Andy Hull became so frustrated that he spent his senior year studying at home. He also wrote and recorded his first full length album in 2004 while studying his last high school year.

Early in their career, the band recorded an album entitled Nobody Sings Anymore; however, it was never released due to the shift in the band's musical direction and personal changes undergone following its recording. The band stated that "the band that made the record was different to the band now." That being said, it may be released at some point in the future. Some of the tracks written for the album were instead released on You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, but Brilliance Needs a Good Editor.

Following the EP, Manchester Orchestra recorded and released their debut album I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child. This album gained the attention of the music industry, and eventually led to their signing with Canvasback. The album was released nationwide July 27, 2007. Guitarist Robert McDowell did not appear on this album.

The band worked in the studio recording their second EP, Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind, with producer Dan Hannon and engineer Brad Fisher. It was released October 7, 2008.

In early September the band reported on their Myspace blog that they had begun recording their second LP entitled Mean Everything to Nothing with producer Joe Chicarrelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket). On February 4, 2009, the band posted a link to a free download of the single "I've Got Friends"

and performed an acoustic version at The Fly’s . The album was released April 21, 2009.

Their single "Wolves At Night", was featured in the video game NHL 08.

On January 12, 2010, the band announced that they will be releasing a split EP with Kevin Devine entitled "I Could Be The Only One". The release is set for a digital release on January 26, 2010.

In an interview with the Dallas Observer date March of 2010, Hull mentioned that the band had begun work on a follow up to 2009's Mean Everything to Nothing tentively entitled "Let Go of Your Sorrowful Groaning". He also said that the band have around 34 songs they are demoing and that in writing this album he is imaginging a "spiritual miscarriage".

After gaining noteriety across the nation, the band performed more than once at Chicago's Lollapalooza festival, most notably in 2009.

In April and May, TNA Wrestling used their song "Shake it Out" in their opening video packages. It was eventually used as the official themesong for TNA Wrestling's 2010 Sacrifice PPV.

TV appearances

Manchester Orchestra has performed on several television shows, including the Late Show with David Letterman (twice), Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Their song "I Can Feel A Hot One" was featured on Gossip Girl (Season 2, Episode 3: "The Dark Night"), and was played throughout the episode. This song is featured on their EP "Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind" which was released on October 7, 2008. Also, music from their newest album, "Mean Everything to Nothing", was played on the One Tree Hill (TV series) episode "I Would For You" (Season 6, Episode 20). The song The Only One from the same album was also featured on an episode of 90210 (TV Series) "One Party Can Ruin Your Whole Summer" (Season 1 finale). Andy and Robert also guest programmed Australian music video program rage during their Australian tour as a part of Splendour in the Grass along with a performance on the British live music show Live From Abbey Road during their tour supporting Biffy Clyro.

Band members

* Andy Hull - lead vocals, guitar, piano, songwriter

* Robert McDowell - lead guitar, vocals

* Chris Freeman - keyboards, vocals, additional percussion

* Jonathan Corley - bass

* Len Clark - drums

* Benjamin Homola - drums

Former Band members

* Jeremiah Edmond - drums, percussion

Discography

Albums

*2004: Nobody Sings Anymore (Never officially released)

*2006: I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child

*2009: Mean Everything to Nothing #37 US

EPs

*2004: 5 Stories

*2005: You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, but Brilliance Needs a Good Editor

*2008: Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind

*2009: Fourteen Years of Excellence

*2009: The MySpace Transmissions: Manchester Orchestra

*2009: Live at Park Ave

*2010: I Could Be The Only One

Singles

* "Wolves at Night" (2007)

* "I Can Barely Breathe" (2007)

* "I've Got Friends" (2009) #8 Billboard Alternative Songshttp

* "Tony the Tiger" (2009)

* "Shake It Out" (2009) #25 Billboard Alternative Songs

References