Customer Reviews

Attack of Grey Lantern

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sadly, Mansun are no longer with us, having broken up at the end of 2003, but this, their first album (the UK version) is fantastic. This is rock album as sweeping cinematic epic, every song seguing into the next and containg a central thread filled with colorful (sordid, in frontman Paul Draper's words) characters such as Dark Mavis, the Stripper Vicar, The Chad, and Egg Shaped Fred. Absolutely gorgeous in its musicianship, singing, and production, this is a great album if you're into great British bands like Blur, Suede, Pulp, and Radiohead, and want to dig a little deeper into that sound and style. In fact this album is the one that knocked Blur's fantastic 1997 self titled album off the #1 spot in the charts. All the songs on here are excellent, but check out the opening trilogy of tracks, Stripper Vicar, Egg Shaped Fred, Wide Open Space, and the majestic and haunting finale, Dark Mavis. Phenomenal. One last note...DO NOT BUY THE US VERSION OF THIS ALBUM. It is chopped up, rearranged, has songs missing, and completely ruins the album as it was intended. You'll spend a bit more for the UK version, but it's worth it. Besides, the added tracks on the US version are available on the excellent Kleptomania box set.

I used to be the girl who found the groundbreaking music and introduced it to my friends and later to my younger brother and his friends, who took longer to come around to good taste in music! But the tables have turned at my ripe old age of 25. Sometimes too busy to follow developments in the music world, as much as I might love to, and one day my brother's friend approaches me to tell me about Mansun. Instantly, I am skeptical, with a strange slide show going through my head... Hanson, Marilyn Manson, Charles Manson, Shirley Manson... and I tell him so. He tells me not to worry, just listen to Mansun. I didn't listen. This was a few years ago. Then, as I used to do when I had nothing better to spend money on, I wandered through a music store, and I came across Mansun again. I decided, "What the heck?" and bought it... and immediately kicked myself for letting the intervening years of listening to this album slip away! With its symphonic opening and closing the album feels tight and complete... and resplendent. One songs blends seamlessly into the next... with some absolutely brilliant songs in between. "Wide Open Space" (be careful when you discuss this song with those who are not familiar with Mansun; they might think you are referring to the Dixie Chicks or something equally preposterous) is superb... "Naked Twister" is delightful, "Take It Easy, Chicken" is aggressive and entertaining... and my favourite here is the mellow but ever-engrossing "Mansun's Only Love Song". I also like the final track a lot... overall this is an exquisite effort. Not perfect, but I never tire of this album... definitely erased any imagery that might have been conjured by their name.

With the advent of Hanson and Marilyn Manson, this band's name is unfortunate -- whenever I talk about them, I always have to preface who I'm talking about because people get confused. I bought this album on the strength of "Wide Open Space", the only single I'm aware of that got any radio play.

This is too bad, because this is a wonderful album. I've found more often these days a good album is a rare thing; maybe a song or two is worth your time, but many albums stink, overall. But "Attack of the Grey Lantern" is very British and very listenable. I find it hard to classify -- there is a strongly hypnotic keyboard element to them, but they're not an overproduced electronica band. Paul Draper's singing voice has an androgynous quality that is simultaneously world-weary and resonant. There are hints of Pink Floyd in the production, but hints of something else, too -- I think the Cure influences their work, too, and the Stone Roses.

The tracks play into one another (the Floyd influence) with assorted sounds intermingled between songs. In fact, "The Chad Who Loved Me" begins and "Dark Mavis" ends with the same theme, so if you listen to this album on continuous play, it's hard to tell whether it's beginning or ending, because of that keyboard music binding the two songs together. "Mansun's Only Love Song" is excellent, as is "Take It Easy, Chicken" -- both of those tracks are treats to listen to with headphones.

I haven't heard anything from Mansun since this album, so I don't know what their status is as a band, but I thoroughly enjoyed this album, and am curious to hear what they'd do with follow-up works.

My interest in this album was peaked by "Wide Open Space," a slice of pure musical perfection. It faded however upon seeing the video for "She Makes My Nose Bleed", which for some reason did not appeal to me. But I couldn't get the former song out of my mind and recently decided to give the CD a go.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that "Attack of the Grey Lantern" was absolutely phenomenal, including the album version of "SMMNB." My favourites comprise almost the entire release, the noteworthy ones including the aforementioned tracks plus "Take It Easy," Egg-Shaped Fred" and "Dark Mavis." But I almost feel guilty singling out any songs because none of them are short of excellent in my opinion.

"Attack of the Grey Lantern" incorporates the best of several musical worlds. It builds from a pop/rock base then weaves in orchestral and electronica flourishes for a wonderfully textured effect. I can't recommend this album highly enough; hopefully I will someday get my hands on the unabridged UK version. This CD has made me an admirer, if not devoted fan, of Mansun (the reason being that their followup CD sadly did not live up to the expectations raised by this debut).

Mansun is one of the many UK bands that just never made it here. It is a shame too, since I think they're cool, quirky, and fun. Their music is full of bizarre lyrics, sweeping strings, rocking guitars, and synthesizers. It is Britpop with a dark side.

I like to listen to bands who are basically unknown in the US, and I almost always realize that I've found another great act. Mansun is no exception here. I can't really think of another band to accurately compare them to, they are just Mansun. I say give this CD a listen though. Either you'll really like it or you will think it is quite weird. It may even grow on you, but if not at least you'll have given it a chance.

I have been a Mansun fan since I heard "Wide Open Space" back in '97. It's probably been my favorite song ever since then, but I never did try and track down one of their CDs. I bought this one about 4 months ago, and have listened to it virtually every time I'm in my car. As the other reviews state, it is quite a strange sound, but Paul Draper will definitely hook you in with his voice & lyrics and it will continue to grow on you. Definitely a 10. Keep in mind I guess I'm not a real Mansun fan. I picked up their other 2 CDs after I thought I'd move on to their other releases. "Six" was one of the worst CDs I think I have ever listened to, and "Little Kix" is quite dull throughout - definitely not on par w/the "Grey Lantern". You will not regret picking this one up.

I don't quite get all these people saying it's not as good as Six.

Anyhow, what we have here is a something that would never happen with an American band. But let's not talk about that. Let's talk about Paul Draper's evil, evil voice. You hear metal artists try to make their voices sound devil-esque. Paul Draper sounds like Satan's lawyer... or maybe his crooked accountant, or his agent or bookie. Satan may seem to run the show, but Paul Draper is who owns 85% of the souls in hell, and he uses them to make some great tunes. I can make my case point just by playing "Naked Twister". That effortless, creepy vibrato laced falsetto that seeps into your body like a cloudy gas of sorts. He does that sort of thing throughout this solemly beautiful album. The songwriting and structure here might not be as random and fascinating as on Six, but they find other ways to keep your attention. Each one is an imaginative, dark, eclectic composition that I'm sure you'll either admire, think evil thoughts about, or find some marginal reason to dismiss them as a sum of their influences (rock critics/uptight musicians who use words like "dark", "eclectic", "solemn", and "composition"; but can nary create or display any of them). Don't miss the point. Just get this album (less than $2 used right now, actually). My only complaint is that I really wish this one had "Stripper Vicar" instead of "Take it Easy, Chicken"... I haven't heard "Stripper Vicar", but the other one is my least favorite track on the album.

From the beautiful dramatic string drenched beginning to the beautiful dramatic string drenched end, this is one great composition. I just got this album, and it is a very winter sounding album. It's primary use for me has been for when I feel a little down. My favorite track is track 6 ("You, Who Do You Hate", I think). It shows the subtle side of Draper's voice, and you don't at all need to understand what he's talking about to fall in love with his voice.

It's an absolutley great CD from start to end.

This is one of my all-time favourite albums, after initially ignoring it's existance for six months after first buying it. The second time I listened to this album, I felt compelled to put it on repeat play. I've kept it close at hand ever since.

Listen and you will be rewarded: there's no maybe about it. From the opening harmonies of the string section, this album is a masterpiece of lush layers of sonic pleasure, whilst still providing a whole album of catchy yet affecting tunes. It's one of those albums that it is neccessary to lie down and listen to from beginning to end. You cant just put "She makes my nose bleed" on and then not listen to the rest, it's a crime!(Although that is SUCH a catchy tune). The only thing that may sound odd to the uninitiated ear is that the vocals arent always the top track: sometimes you may feel that they need to stand out from the music more than they do. But I think Mansun intended to shift more focus onto the music than is usual these days.. the vocal is a part of the music instead of standing outside of it. It's a fascinating approach and I think it really works.
Listen and you will hear catchy guitar riffs, ascending and desceding guitar lines, great drumming, vocal melody, vocal harmony, and any of these layers could quite easily stand on its own as a great recording. It's rewarding AND catchy! Listen! Listen! Listen!