Manos

The Spinanes

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 2, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B0000035G2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,593 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars underrated hallmark of the early 90's, June 8, 2000

By	Pedro A. Urias "tallman1962" (Phoenix, Az United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What can I say about this CD that seems to have been nearly forgotten or rarely discussed anymore? The sparse arrangements with just guitars and drums and Rebecca Gates' lovely lilting voice are the perfect backdrop to the songs of nearly unabashed romanticism--some anchored in disintergrating relationships ("Dangle", "Entire"), hope ("Manos" and yes "Dangle" again)--the jagged guitar hooks seem to come at you in steps, not in an ambush--rather like Velocity Girl if they were a folk band produced in someone's living room. And something should be said for Scott Plouf's drumming (now recently heard in Built to Spill)--unflashy fills yet somehow the beats always seem to fall seamlessly into the sound, unintrusive yet vital to the emotional resonance conveyed by the lyrics. Listen to "Dangle" for proof. Oh yes, and there's a neat instrumental "I Love That Party With the Monkey Kitty" just to show how much noise two people weaving around a flawless tune can make. Not grungy as some may suspect, nonetheless a piece of perfectly jagged--dare I say--pop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just plain neat, February 12, 2005

By	Ethan Straffin (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"What, no bass?" you might say. I seriously doubt that you'll care, though.

Even live, with no capacity to overdub and do all the cool vocal harmonies that you'll find here, The Spinanes made it work (and then some). The sheer melodic exuberance of these songs -- not to mention Gates's and Plouf's refusal to neglect the low end despite the stripped-down instrumentation -- speaks for itself. There's just something about this album that makes it impossible for me to tire of it, despite many years of pulling it out on a semi-regular basis.

_Manos_ appears destined to be a lost classic. Sometimes life isn't fair to those who have put this much effort into crafting something catchy and wonderful and unique. That doesn't mean you need to miss out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Believe the reviews, February 26, 2003

By	glenn d france (brooklyn, ny United States) - See all my reviews

The reviewers for this pop masterpiece do not lie. I bought this album when it came out on vinyl on a lark, having not heard of the group. From the start I was blown away. What a great discovery. I went on to buy their follow-up releases and as great as they are (check them out) Manos has that simple, edgy, sound I find so attractive. If you like well crafted, well executed and sung power pop (Elvis Costello, Liz Phair, etc.) you will love this almost unknown jem. Too bad they are no more.