Customer Reviews

Man Made

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of you who (unfairly) criticize this latest effort by the vastly underappreciated Teenage Fanclub as being lackluster, I wish to offer a different interpretation. Yes it is a subdued and carefully-produced effort, in keeping with their later work rather than the Bandwagonesque-era looseness and feedback-drenched Big Star rock. But it is not without soul or passion. It is simply a more relaxed record, more sculpted, more careful. The music still flows nicely, the lyrics are stronger than usual, and hooks abound. Just about every song has worthwhile aspects anda high level of attention to detail. It is obvious to me that the band put a lot into this one, from picking a new producer to writing a collection of grade-A material. Why only 4 stars then? Well, Bandwagonesque is classic, and a high, high bar was set way back when. If this came from anyone else, maybe 5 stars would be more in line.

For those of you who are new to Fanclub and have stumbled onto this page by accident, let me tell you, you have to buy either the best-of collection or Bandwagonesque, or both. Really. Then you will want all the rest. I cheered when Nirvana kicked Michael Jackson off the charts in 1991 or whenever that was, but I would have cheered far more if Fanclub had subsequently booted Nirvana from those charts. It could have happened- for all the Cobain-tragedy publicity, Fanclub writes better songs. This band has been quietly and unpretetiously chugging along since 1990 at least, while nobody seems to really notice. Give them your support, they are a treasure.

I am a huge fan, but I admit this one really disappointed me...at first. The vocals are often very low in the mix and the TFC keep getting mellower with every record. I put this one away for a week and just went back to it. It really is starting to grow on me...it's taken longer than any of their other records, so hang in there! It'll be worth it!

Throw my hat in with the double-thumbs-up crowd. I think "Man-Made" is TFC's best album since "Grand Prix," and perhaps their most consistent. They had me worried after "Howdy," with its opening track ("I Need Direction") suggesting a crisis of professional confidence. And then the liner notes to their subsequent greatest hits anthology blatantly insinuated that the mighty Fanclub had called it a day.

Now "Man-Made" shows up a few years later, and what a euphoric surprise. Mellower, yes, but no less melodic or meticulous. (No band does 3-part harmonies this wondrous except for The Byrds.) While their previous albums may contain better stand-alone tracks, on "Man-Made," everything flows.

I'm so grateful they're still with us. And even happier that they sound stronger than ever recording for their own label.

Tortoise's John McEntire helped produce this album. His presence isn't immediately discernible, but the album does have a certain compressed, warm and fuzzy sound that's unique to this recording. It's probably one of the more laid back records the group has released. The songs all have a sameness about them, and it took a few listens to really appreciate the distinctions. The lyrics help. Over fifteen years, the band has consistently filled records with catchy, seemingly effortless, pop gems. Every song here is like listening to someone magically reach out to a loved one over an impossible distance. Nice.

The three song writers from TFC (and stellar drummer Francis MacDonald) offer up yet another solid grouping of melodic rock songs. Repeated listens bring out all the subtle, nuances in the hook-laden material. It's difficult to pick a favorite from the 12 songs here as one great song is followed by another. The production is spot-on. Longtime fans will revel in this; folks new to TFC might want to pick up the previous collection "Shortcut to TFC" before, and inevitably, buying the rest of their back catalog. Long live TFC!

While this may not be the best Teenage Fanclub cd, it is the best cd of 2005. I have the other TF cds including Howdy and the one with Jad Fair. I'm a big fan of Big Star and those Bands that have used Big Star as a launcing pad. This along with bands like the Apartments, the Auteurs, the Go-Betweens, and the Chills can keep your cd changer and mind filled. While the Velvet Crush may not be able to mine anything on Man-Made, you will find the influences you are looking for. Love where 60's music meets maturity, you can't go wrong here.

Teenage Fanclub gives us yet another gem of an album. I know of no other band who so consistently produces perfect specimens of pop music, one right after the other. This album should satisfy any fannies fan, and convert any newcomers.

This record marks a return to form for the fannies, whose last record, Howdy, was a little disappointing. Man-Made is a quality effort that is more subversive than any of their previous efforts- the wonderful harmonies are still there, but there is an underlying maturity throughout the record that sets it apart as a new direction for a band that was in danger of becoming stale.

The increased songwriting participation of guitarist Ray McGinley is probably the major factor in this. His songs have always been the most layered of all the band's catalogue, and on this record he really shines.

Having seen them live recently, I must say that they are still one of the best indie bands going around, and while they are not part of the british angular rock revival movement, you can bet that all of the hot bands right now owe a massive debt to this great band.

Ive never heard of Teenage Fanclub before, my boss gave me the tip to listen to this record, and I was pleasently suprised to find perhaps my favourite record of 2005 (or its right up with Weezer's "Make Believe"). The songs sound really catchy, the vocals are great, and remind me of Simon and Garfunkel (anyone?).
"It's all in my mind" starts the record and is INCREDIBLY catchy, with a real simple beat. other highlights are "Time stops", "Only with you" and the single "Fallen Leaves". I recommend this record to any pop/rock fan out there.

This album is so strong all the way though. This time the best songs are written by Gerry (Time Stops, Fallen Leaves) and Raymond (Nowhere, Only With You, Feel and Don't Hide). I cannot recommend this album enough, especially if you dig laid back, mellow rock.

It's funny that three of rock's best songwriters are in this band that are too often overlooked. Buy the CD and make these songs your personal treasure.