Man Man preview

Man Man
Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Philly avant-garde quintet Man Man provide the soundtrack to an eternity spent in hell or are the band most likely played at full volume in the confines of one of those deranged clown cars at the circus – it’s hard to determine which suits the noise rockers best. Surprisingly, when compiling a pro and con list of which situation elicits the greatest amount of dread (some folks just really hate clowns), the band’s sardonically gleeful compositions rank high in the first column.

Armed with an arsenal of instruments that go bump in the night, Man Man employ xylophone, saxophone, trumpet, and stuffed frogs (or so the press release says, but who can really determine the melodic intricacies of a fluffy amphibian sight unseen?) on the band’s third release, Rabbit Habits (Anti). Combined with Honus Honus’ growling Win Butler/Isaac Brock vocals, the effect partly resembles those children’s music boxes with the pink sateen interior encapsulating a dainty plastic, twirling ballerina and the local carnival taking up residence for the weekend in the church parking lot.

“The Ballad Of Butter Beans” should accompany a “Three Stooges” chase scene, or at the very least a bizzaro episode of “The Simpsons.” The opening track, “Mister Jung Stuffed” strangely conjures up images of Beetlejuice in all of his undead glory. Quick! Someone introduce Tim Burton to this wacky bunch.

Yeasayer open.

— Janine Schaults

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly