They’re not from Manchester, nor are they an orchestra. But despite their misleading name, there is nothing deceitful about the second full-length offering, Mean Everything to Nothing, from Atlanta’s five-piece indie rock outfit, Manchester Orchestra.

Opening with singer/guitarist Andy Hull crying that he’s “the only one that thinks I’m going crazy”, the album spirals into something resemblant of a whiny teenagers’ (quite prolific) diary from then onwards. There’s a real urgency in Hull’s voice, one that’s so strong throughout the album, it is as if at any moment he’ll fall back from the microphone and into bed for the day.

‘Shake it Out’ follows the opener, driven by a thumping drum beat surrounded in distortion that makes it tough to resist grabbing the steering wheel and doing as he says. 

The brakes hit however when ‘I Can Feel a Hot One’ emerges from the distortion, and once again it seems a breakdown isn’t far off. The intensity of the lyrics is perfectly matched by Hull’s whimper, and the understated guitar gives the song a definite emotional heaviness.

The lyrics are dark, self-loathing and at times childish, the tone swings like a teen’s mood and Mean Everything to Nothing is a riot of distorted guitar insanity that’s too much fun to miss. 

By Simon McCulloch

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