It's also a testament to exactly how good this CD is. Pre-Wall Pink Floyd has been mentioned as a possible influence, as has Pet Sounds, and pretty much anything by Stereolab and Yo La Tengo. The melodies are delicate and ethereal, but often drony--thanks to a keyboard sound that tends to remain understated and in the background. The guitars are clean, and thanks to a little lap steel work here and there, slightly twangy. There are at least two main vocalists (both male) who often sing together in a dreamy monotone. Their vocal talents are especially evident on "Hawaii in Ten Seconds," a short (1:30) a cappella barbershop quartet tune that creepily floats in like a weird accidental transmission from outer space.
Now none of this is really unusual in local pop. Several groups around here are perfecting a cleaner, more melodic sound, and a few are making good use of drone. But no one, really, is mixing these elements with such consistent success as The Kingsbury Manx. That's probably because, if what little we know about them is true, they've been at this for years, since a young age, and they've had ample time to think about and perfect their sound. Whether you care about who they are or not, the fact is, this album is stunning from start to finish, and there's no mystery behind that.
Speaking of The Kingsbury Manx
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