Atlanta's
Andy Hull and company received considerable praise leading up to
Mean Everything to Nothing,
Manchester Orchestra's second official full-length release. With that praise and hype came the attention of producer
Joe Chiccarelli (the
Shins/
My Morning Jacket), who adds enough muscle, sound, and fury to the music to match
Hull's frequent growls and rants. The resulting dynamic attack will likely please the screamo crowd, as songs like "Shake It Out" feature the kind of angsty lyrics (fighting the Lord), yelping
Isaac Brock meets-nu-metal-swagger, and power chords that thrill a young audience. More savvy, or at least older, music fans will be able to pick out the influences, from the
Kurt Cobain wail and
Nirvana-like grunge pop of "In My Teeth," to the
Smashing Pumpkins-by-way-of-
Jane's Addiction guitars of the catchy and earnest "I've Got Friends," to the wounded-voice
Bright Eyes of "The River," to the all-out
Neutral Milk Hotel borrowing that is "100 Dollars." ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide