Six - Mansun

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Boring background ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Born during the Britpop explosion, Mansun were a slightly quirkier and less poppy band than say the likes of Blur, Oasis, Cast, Elastica etc - the true Britpop bands but accentuated that music era with their own unique brand of morose, self deprecating and often sarcastically witty indie rock. Formed in 1995 in Chester by Paul Draper (vocalist/rhythm guitarist) and Stove King (bassist) the band also included Dominic Chad (lead guitarist) and Andie Rathbone (drummer). Mansun lasted 8 years before splitting in 2003 for "unknown reasons" and in that time produced three ...  Read the complete review

I've been a Mansun fan since late 1996, ever since I heard 'Wide Open Space' on MTV. Before 'Six' was released, I placed Mansun's first album, 'Attack of the Grey Lantern', at the top of my list of all-time favourite albums. Now 'Six' exists, it could well have taken the top slot by the time I write a new favourite album list. The album is named after the A.A Milne book 'Now We Are Six' whose Taoist content lends heavily to many of the lyrics on the album. Another influence on the album title is Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner' series in which the main character was called, yes you guessed ...  Read the complete review

Mansun are undoubtedly one of the most persistant guitar driven bands around, they’ve survived the wilderness years and have recieved mixed reactions for their live performances. First and foremost an indie group, this follow up to 'Attack of the grey lanterns' is a experimental album. And experiments outcomes in the science lab in my experiences are normally disasterous, musicians being an entirely different breed can sometimes capture success through use of new concepts and experimentation. Similarly Mansun sometimes capture success. For Instance; the title track welcomes you with a graceful piano tune with overlayed synthesizer scale, this ...  Read the complete review

Not so much a natural progression, although there are elements of that, as more of the same from Mansun - but that is by no means a bad thing. All the good things from the previous album are here and there is a real sense of occasion on listening to this. The stunningly brilliant 'Legacy' and 'Serotonin' are balanced by a sample from the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy on 'Fall Out', which nevertheless in no way detracts from the song! This is a thoughtful, intelligent, creative and well-put together album, music on a much higher plane than most: why aren't this band more popular? Perhaps the imminent release of their new album will finally ...  Read the complete review

In the third part of my mini series on mood enhancing albums I deal with those times when it all gets to much and you just want to turn your brain off. In my experience the best album for doing this is Six, by Mansun. When exam worries/women problems/whatever are running through my head I just stick this album on my headphones and let it all wash over me. One hour later I’m feeling a lot more settled. Fans of either of Mansun’s other albums (The equally brilliant Attack of the Grey Lantern and the rather dull Little Kix) shouldn’t automatically assume they would like this album. The grand sweeping moments of Attack aren’t here and the, ...  Read the complete review