Customer Reviews

Come & See

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Long ago, I bought a used copy of the Mortal Kombat Annihilation soundtrack, just for the theme and a Rammstein song. It turned out to have a few decent tunes, one of which was "Ready or Not: Kombat Mix" by Manbreak. I had never heard of Manbreak, nor had any of my friends, so I assumed it was a bunch of goons thrown together to record one song, and didn't think about it again.

Years later, I was in a used CD store when lo and behold I saw an ALBUM by Manbreak lying on the shelf. It was only $3, and featured Ready or Not, so I said what the heck and bought it.

At first I was skeptical, and even after a few listens, I still wasn't sure what I thought about it. But now that I've had time to give it a few dozen go-rounds, I realize that I would have gladly spent $15 on this album, had I known how good it was up front. It takes a while to grow on you, but it is so catchy that it will wind up refusing to leave your CD player! I would describe Manbreak as the little brother of Pop Will Eat Itself. The general schtick is the same: a bunch of guys rant about how bankrupt (morally and financially) British society is, with the vox being delivered in a quasi-rap style over music that is a hybrid of light rock and hip-hop. Where PWEI leans towards rock, Manbreak leans more towards hip-hop; advantage: Manbreak. Also, Manbreak's lyrics are not nearly so melodramatic as PWEI offerings (Ich Bin Ein Auslander, Preaching to the Perverted, etc); this moderation is an improvement as well. The album's most infectious songs are Ready or Not (much better than the Mortal Kombat cut), It's On, and the highlight of the album, Round and Round, which has great samples and a chorus that I cannot get out of my head. Finally, it's also notable that in addition to the faster numbers, the album also contains a few strikingly soulful songs as well... not what one would expect out of five surly young Brits! Morning is like a Radiohead song that actually has an edge, and Is Everyone Still Asleep, the final track, is downright haunting!

So my hat's off to Manbreak for this one... a great album from a band I had no reason to think highly of. It's a shame that they have been dumped in the dustbin of musical history, because they're far more entertaining than most of what passes for music out there. If you are a fan of Pop Will Eat Itself or anything like it, you owe it to these kids to buy Come and See!

Luckily found these guys at Hershey Park on a summer evening opening for hometown heroes "Live". Ready or Not and Kop Karma are the best from a 'jump around' hip hop perspective -- but the rest plays with electronica, funk, and other themes. Whole album is great...

ManBREAK are, by far, one of the most talented bands I have ever had the opportunity to see, and hear. Not only can they tear it up with songs like "Ready Or Not", and "Cut Ups", but can dazzle one with their beautiful ballads such as "Gods Never Heard of You". If I were to give the album an accurate rating, it would be one of 6/5 stars. I would give the band itself 10/5, they are an amazing bunch with endless charisma, attitude, and talent. Check them out on Come and See, see them live, and buy their next album which should be out early next year.

I am an avid fan of Nine Inch Nails and other dark electronic bands, and Manbreak does NOT fall into that category; however, that does not stop this album from being one of the best I have heard in a long time. The music itself is light (dare I say "pop") but it is extremely harmonious and upbeat -- this is a great CD to listen to on a long drive. The lyrics are actually rather heavy if you really think about them, but on the surface this remains a generally light disc.

Why, then, do I like it? For one thing, I like the style of the band: the guitars sound good, the lead singer has a good voice (and incredible range), and the songs (as previously stated) are upbeat and just fun to hear. I would describe the musical sound of the band as a cross between 3-11 and the Cranberries, or perhaps as Rage Against the Machine on Ecstacy -- a melodious rap lead over a nicely blended guitar background.

This is a good CD, folks -- a good break from anything overly h! eavy, but with enough substance to keep one entertained.

i am a big fan of bands like radiohead and placebo, indie rock etc...while manbreak is like none of these bands, they still are incredible. i saw them open for LiVE a couple of summers ago and their set blew me away, short as it was. i highly recommend this CD to anyone interested in a lighter kind of version of Rage Against The Machine or Tool.

The first time I saw Manbreak, I had no idea who they were, and I didn't expect to like them in the slightest bit. But they were so full of energy and powerful, I fell in love immediatly, and bought the album shortly afterward. I highly recommend this album to anyone.

Beginning skeptically, this could easily have been another randomly-named, decent rock band. It's a cut above that, though. As it can apparently please the harderfolk as well as poppy people, I'll give them credit for versatility. The songs are highly charged with emotion, and they mix them up nicely--each has a definite identity and place in the album. What it seems to lack is an inanely catchy single, or at least any that received adequate air time. I'm not convinced, however, that they will ever be more than a very good opening band. Certainly worth a listen, though.