Topic: Everyone Should Listen To Wax Mannequin (Now With MP3s and M4As) (Read 7888 times)

Johnny C · « **on:** 29 May 2007, 15:53 »

Really, you don't have any excuses. I opened for the fellow last night and determined that he deserves even a minor sort of stardom.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/q1761r is a zip file containing his last record and the Orchard EP. They're two really incredible works with between them maybe one misstep ("r&r Wnd") that is made up for by pretty much every other song.

Wax Mannequin excels in oddly-structured pop rock, heavy on tension and brilliantly cathartic. Beyond his memorable hooks and absolutely incredible bridges, he's wonderful at crafting actual records, things that are dizzyingly self-referential and marvelously contained, carrying broad thematic strains and minor but wonderfully-executed interweaving of melodic and lyrical elements from other songs. To boot, he's the most genuinely entertaining personality I've ever had the privilege to see live.

To tell the truth even heaping this praise on these two records I feel shitty writing about Wax Mannequin because I find myself at a loss to properly sum up what's so appealing about his music. There's just something intangibly engaging about it, a quality that seems so far beyond the reach of the mundane as to become unattainable, and it's all wrapped up in these remarkably accessible songs.

Especially stunning are the first three tracks on The Price, "Bleed, Jimmy," "Thing Game," "Animals Jump," "Everything Proper," and "Animals For Real." But really, both records are awesome, and he has a new one called Orchard & Ire on the way, which you can find out about here.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 May 2007, 17:19 »

I thought this was going to be a thread about an artist that makes a mockery of Jack's Mannequin.

Johnny C · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 May 2007, 17:37 »

Did you download the .zip file that I uploaded for you?

Don't make me get abusive.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 May 2007, 17:46 »

Hahaha. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be a smartass.

Johnny C · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 May 2007, 18:05 »

It's alright, anything taking the piss out of Jack's Mannequin would be fine by me. But Wax Mannequin is really great.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 May 2007, 20:01 »

Lol, I like Jack's Mannequin. On a side note, Andrew McMahon is one of my heroes.

I downloaded the zip file, but alas, my computer doesn't like .m4a files. :[

pilsner · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 May 2007, 23:49 »

I got as far as track 2 in Orchard, but that repetitive guitar line was making me want to pull out my hair so I had to stop. Damnit Johnny, those were 5 minutes I could have spent listening to Girl Talk. You owe me 5 minutes of Girl Talk.

Johnny C · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 May 2007, 01:09 »

Quote from: pilsner on 29 May 2007, 23:49

I got as far as track 2 in Orchard, but that repetitive guitar line was making me want to pull out my hair so I had to stop.

Oh man you would probably hate my band.

Kai · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 May 2007, 05:52 »

yeah, .m4a's are silly things

imapiratearg · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 May 2007, 12:31 »

Indeed. I tried using this audio converter too, but even that wouldn't recognize .m4a's

greenMonkey · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 May 2007, 18:49 »

iTunes is your friend when it comes to .m4a's.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 May 2007, 20:30 »

I hate iTunes...

Kai · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 May 2007, 21:31 »

man I am on linux

it is a little late for itunes

kablaaamo · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 May 2007, 22:25 »

Don't get off topic here. Everyone needs to download that file up there and listen to Wax Mannequin. For serious.

This is the last time I am going to talk about him because I'm starting to feel like a broken record on these forums, but give Wax a solid chance. His albums are wonderful because they work on both a visceral level (they rock) initially, and later a more ephemeral level, when you realize how well the songs are constructed (he achieves a full, tense sound with a really minimal set of instruments).

I'm also at a bit of a loss. I'm bad at describing music to begin with, and Wax Mannequin is really hard to do justice. Anything you could say to describe him would only be part true, or there'd be a connotation to the words that sells him short....just listen to the music. AND IF YOU CAN (IE. IF YOU ARE IN CANADA) YOU HAVE TO SEE HIM LIVE.

He tours ALL THE TIME and seriously, if you live in Canada he will probably be coming through fairly soon. The show will be cheap, I guarantee you, so give the man a few dollars and go see what I'm failing to describe. The live show is what truly shows his strength as a musician (I've only seen him playing solo, accompanied "by his machine", but I can only imagine how he'd be with a band), and it will likely be one of the best shows you have ever seen. He's straightforward and electrifying at the same time. I'm going in a few weeks to see him again.

PS. Congrats on the opening slot, Johnny! That is pretty awesome. Do you have his album And Gun because if not, I'd be willing to send it along.
PPS. Itunes....I realize that not everyone likes it...but it has a converter within it that will do .m4a to .mp3...so if it comes down to it, install it, do your conversions and uninstall? That is my suggestion.

Johnny C · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 May 2007, 23:52 »

Here are the albums in mp3 format.

I am almost notoriously lazy yet my desire for you to listen to these albums transcends that.

ALoveSupreme · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 May 2007, 01:46 »

Quote from: imapiratearg on 29 May 2007, 17:19

I thought this was going to be a thread about an artist that makes a mockery of Jack's Mannequin.

I thought the same thing. Although Jack's Mannequin is not my cup of tea, as SoCo is pretty much a joke at this point.

I think I talk about horrible "emo" bands that should have been forgotten 4 years ago when drunk. Weird.

Wax did very little for me, also.

CamusCanDo · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 May 2007, 02:33 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 30 May 2007, 23:52

Here are the albums in mp3 format.

I am almost notoriously lazy yet my desire for you to listen to these albums transcends that.

I like your moxy kid. I'm sold.

Kai · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 May 2007, 06:55 »

actually johnny I JUST NOW decided I only listen to things in inconvenient lossless codecs now

fucker

(thanks for the mp3s! will listen in a minute)

celticgeek · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 May 2007, 07:56 »

YAY! for inconvenient lossless codecs.

FLAC for the win.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 May 2007, 16:34 »

Is this the computer nerd equivalent of the CD vs. Vinyl debate?

God help us.

Johnny C · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 May 2007, 16:44 »

God damn it at least one of you besides the people who came into this thread liking him has to like what they're hearing.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 May 2007, 16:46 »

Well, I'm downloading it right now. After I listen to it I will post with my impressions.

schimmy · « **Reply #22 on:** 31 May 2007, 16:46 »

I like him, and hadn't heard of him before this thread. I listened to both of the records back to back several times this morning.

Out of interest, what is better, OGG or FLAC?

Joseph · « **Reply #23 on:** 31 May 2007, 16:47 »

I've only listened to the Orchard EP so far, but I really quite enjoyed it. I'll need to give it a bit more time before I can give a concrete opinion on it, but I'll get back to you soon enough.

Kai · « **Reply #24 on:** 31 May 2007, 17:18 »

Johnny

wax mannequin is sex

greenMonkey · « **Reply #25 on:** 31 May 2007, 17:28 »

Quote from: schimmy on 31 May 2007, 16:46

I like him, and hadn't heard of him before this thread. I listened to both of the records back to back several times this morning.

Out of interest, what is better, OGG or FLAC?

If you're going for sound quality, FLAC. FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. It is a lossless codec, which means that it is better quality than lossy codecs, such as .ogg or .mp3. Wikipedia can tell you more. Honestly, .ogg isn't much better than .mp3 except for the fact that it is open-source.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #26 on:** 31 May 2007, 19:26 »

Me likey. However strange his style of vocals strike me. Thanks Johnny! ^.^

schimmy · « **Reply #27 on:** 01 Jun 2007, 04:13 »

Ah, I was under the impression that OGG was lossless, too.

Jed · « **Reply #28 on:** 01 Jun 2007, 05:27 »

It's okay.

Hat · « **Reply #29 on:** 01 Jun 2007, 16:23 »

Man, in some parts I am just really expecting this guys stuff to break into full blown power metal. The vocals are fucking weird, but I'm starting to quite like them.

Thanks, Johnny!

Stefan Autsa · « **Reply #30 on:** 01 Jun 2007, 16:46 »

I'm downloading this purely based on your enthusiastic gushing praise spilling out all over the place. I swear to God and Satan, if this is shite I'm going to compressed your skull in my meaty paws.

edit: I am listening now and I am not vomiting or popping the blood vessels in my eyes with pins, so it must be pretty good! Thanks for the recommendation, you persistant bastard!

Johnny C · « **Reply #31 on:** 02 Jun 2007, 11:43 »

ATTN CANADIAN FORUMITES:

2 Jun 2007    20:00
   Sirdar Pub    Wynndel, British Columbia

3 Jun 2007    20:00
   Finnigan's Wake    Cranbrook, British Columbia

5 Jun 2007    20:00
   The Royal on Baker    Nelson BC, British Columbia

7 Jun 2007    20:00
   The Queen's Hotel    Nanaimo BC, British Columbia

8 Jun 2007    20:00
   The Project    Victoria, British Columbia

9 Jun 2007    20:00
   Rime    Vancouver, British Columbia

10 Jun 2007    20:00
   Minstrel Cafe    Kelowna BC, British Columbia

11 Jun 2007    20:00
   Broken City    Calgary

12 Jun 2007    20:00
   New City Compound (TBA)    Edmonton, Alberta

13 Jun 2007    20:00
   Manhattan Club    Regina, Saskatchewan

15 Jun 2007    20:00
   Rag Pickers    Winnipeg, Manitoba

16 Jun 2007    20:00
   Jack's    Thunder Bay, Ontario

22 Jun 2007    20:00
   Tiger Bar    Toronto, Ontario

There is the Mannequin's upcoming tour in all its glory.

Joseph · « **Reply #32 on:** 02 Jun 2007, 13:03 »

I'm really happy he's playing at Rime, since that means I'll actually be able to get into the show. Other good news is that seeing your post inspired me to check out Rime's website for the first time in a while, and The Fugitives are playing there later in June. And I'd thought June was going to a be a poor month for shows.

Joseph · « **Reply #33 on:** 05 Jun 2007, 19:55 »

And, I've just realized that I'm at my friend's grad that evening... I suppose I'll have to catch him another time. He tours so much, I'm sure it'll be possible.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Everyone Should Listen To Wax Mannequin (Now With MP3s and M4As) (Read 7888 times)

kablaaamo

Stefan Autsa