Review Summary: I can't help but notice I've been so damn tired of everyone I know
Life sucks. For every high point we get in our lives, we fall into another low one. The gap before the switch could range from minutes to years, and most tend to focus on the low points over the high ones. Sometimes during the low points, you just become so jaded that you get tired of keeping up facades and ignoring the small stuff. I don’t speak for everyone, but it’s something people can feel from time to time. It’s definitely what Eric Egan and Adam Paduch of Heart Attack Man were feeling on their debut album
The Manson Family.
Sincerity oozes out of
The Manson Family. Every line is a thought that could plague anyone’s mind during a period of apathetic self-reflection. Sure, the lyrics aren’t clever nor are they complex, but they feel more relatable than most other music I’ve listened to this year. Every time the half-hearted question of “why am I even here” peeks it’s head, it rings just as true as the last time it was uttered. Highlight “Taking Sides” shows this simple and sincere lyricism perfectly.
I can't take this anymore
I've had it up to here with all of your excuses
Act like everything's the same and no one's taking sides
But I feel so excluded
Heart Attack Man’s sound is one I lump with other bands like Rozwell Kid into a category I and some others call ‘Weezercore’. It’s a fun alt-rock sound, complete with crunchy guitars and almost D.I.Y sounding production. Nothing gets too technical, sounding more like a band jamming in a garage than anything else. The band does mess around with vocal effects like in the beginning of “Burn Down The Mall”. The sound and theme stays consistent throughout the album, which could lead to a slight amount of sameness but brings the album up overall. It’s a clear journey from beginning to end that constantly has the catchiness turned up to eleven.
My writing can’t do this album justice enough. Every time the album starts up again, it sounds more fresh than the last time I’ve heard it. It’s hard to believe that it’s only the band’s debut effort. The duo work together beautifully and they’ve created something amazing with the
The Manson Family. This passed by my radar when it released, but I’m glad I listened to it when I did. It’s definitely worth a listen if not just a passing glance by any who love this type of music that just makes you want to sing along every time the chorus comes through.
