Customer Reviews

Life Fantastic

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

 

 

I listened to this album 70 times the first week it came out. I love the polished sound of this new album. The lyrics are still grim but you lose a lot of the craziness the first 3 albums had. The production value of this album is fantastic though. The strings in Spooky Jookie always gives me chills when they come in, and the rest of the album is all round solid. Nothing can capture the energy of their live shows though, that's what got me so pumped for this album in the first place.

Definitely pick up this album if you've been a man man fan for a long time, and if you haven't Here is my suggested order to listen to these albums in - Life Fantastic -> Six Demon Bag -> Rabbit Habits -> Blue Turban

I've been a fan of Man Man since their first album. What I loved about the band was that they had this feel and sound that I'd never heard before-like at any moment they were going to fly off the rails and plummet to their demise. From what I've read that was almost the case, and Life Fantastic is what happened when they decided to pull things together. Although some say that this album's weakness is its less chaotic nature, I find that to be its strength. Honus Honus is at his lyrical best on this album, a fact which is highlighted by the focused instrumentation. Life Fantastic is dark, catchy, lyrically dense and more focused than any Man Man effort to date-and that truly makes it a fantastic record.

I bought this album after hearing "Knuckle Down" on the radio. You really have to play this album from start to finish because all tracks are different. I have yet to deconstruct the lyrics, but as far as sound goes this seems to be a band that shines even more live.

One of my favorite tracks is Haute Tropique

The album is chalk full of colorful instruments and a fantastic addition to any commute/good sound system

If it is one thing Man Man is known for it's for their feral sense of playing, almost a primal howl in the halls of modern music. But this album doesn't come across to me like that this time. It's a softer album, a gentle touch. Where the others cds were fueled by raw angry and heartbreak sound, this one channels it. For a senior album, it does show growth in the band and music.

The tracks prove this point, each having a different feel and theme:

1. Knuckle Down - a straight rock song dealing with on how to understand your significant other.
2. Piranhas Club - a throwback to surf-a-billy talking about blowing off steam
3. Steak Knives - one of the best tracks on the album. A lone guitar and Honus' voice questioning his love
4. Dark Arts - a manic song with undertones of heartache
5. Haute Tropique - another favorite track talking about we're born what we're meant to be, in some cases, cannibalism.
6. Shameless - a continuous build, each versus hyping the next about watching your heart in love.
7. Spooky Jookie - a solid quasi-blues track.
8. Eel Bros - a short salsa ditty.
9. Bangkok Necktie - another throwback to 60s salsa music asking what does this world want of you.
10. Life Fantastic - the title track that is hard to describe but that builds over time
11. Oh, La Brea - a sweet, quirky track about...fossils?

So while this albm isn't as strong as Six Demon Bag or Rabbit Habit, it is a mature step for Man Man. Each track is great, it just feels like something is missing. It might be me, but the album is solid and awesome. Check it out. The album includes a foldout reversible poster of the tracklist and an awesome painting by Brad Kahlhamer.

when you listen to this it is like getting kissed for the first time. or emptying your load into a tube sock. compatible feelings
great music

This is one seriously cool album! The old adage of opening with one of your best songs signifying a poor album doesn't apply here. Knuckle Down is certainly the song of the album. However, the listing leads right into Pirahnas Club, which is just as creative and fun yet a little more bouncy, then mellows with Steak Knives showing a different and cool side of the group. No doubt a bulk of these tracks exemplifies the experimental nature of the group but songs like Shamless show of the rock jazz roots and display an attitude of blowing the doors down with a dynamic and flirty power punch. The album's namesake track for some reason brings me visions of the movie, Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, a rather silly and strange film that illustrates a confused and misunderstood brilliance within the human mind. All told, great album! I look forward to more endeavors from Man Man.

The best music to ever be made by anyone ever. A bit less chaotic than the last three thanks to producer Mike Mogis who I think made this album a lot more accessible to the general population than the others. Beautiful lyrics, amazing music and I must say there is not a single song on the album I didn't like or was disappointed with.
On a side note, this band is a must see live. They are absolutely amazing performers and have put on the best and most entertaining concerts I have ever been too.
If you've never heard of them, they are definitely worth checking out :)