{"id":16,"date":"2007-04-07T00:20:44","date_gmt":"2007-04-07T07:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theamericancrawl.com\/?p=16"},"modified":"2007-04-07T00:23:08","modified_gmt":"2007-04-07T07:23:08","slug":"nothing-is-the-only-thing-you-ever-seem-to-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theamericancrawl.com\/?p=16","title":{"rendered":"“Nothing Is the Only Thing You Ever Seem to Have”"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve just gotten back from seeing Man Man perform in San Diego. I don\u2019t remember another time I came out of a concert literally speechless. Though it probably doesn\u2019t need to be said, if Man Man has a tour date even remotely close, this is a band that needs to be experienced. The problem is, as Rhea pointed out when I gushed about the show, I\u2019ve made numerous best-show-ever<\/em>-aphorisms numerous times. Clearly, how can anyone believe me if I lazily resort to that kind of hyperbole for every third concert I go to these days (though, in my defense, I am more than a bit more selective when it comes to which shows I\u2019m willing to pay for these days; the three concert a week schedule my roommate and I somehow maintained for close to two years probably did a good job of desensitization)? I\u2019m going to try and break down how this show was different \u2013 if such a tame word can even apply to the Man Man experience. Radiohead, the Walkmen, Animal Collective, and even wee Jon B<\/a>. are all artists I\u2019ve seen numerous times (six or more each) and have been fully invigorated each time \u2013 though Jon, admittedly has had his fair share of off nights. Man Man is frighteningly energetic in a way that is not at all going to given proper justice anywhere on this blog. Five musicians more talented than they have any right to be display true \u201cgroup psychosis\u201d as my friend\u2019s roommate commented, on stage at every moment of their breakneck set. From hardcore to New Orleans jazz to doo-wop to pirate shanties, Man Man tackles everything at any given moment. Wait, I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s clear; Man Man plays all<\/em> of said genres in a song all<\/em> the time.<\/p>\n

To put it another way, it was understandable when my friend explained that there was \u201cno way\u201d that his girlfriend would ever come to a Man Man show. The sheer amount of testosterone-driven terror and carnivalesque debauchery in the yelling, screaming, and lounge crooning that took place just ain\u2019t a dignified, suitable place for yer ol\u2019 lady. It was understandable that the guy standing next to me was caught in a frenetic, robotic dance for the entire show. It was understandable when the saxophone playing William Vollmann<\/a> look-alike felt the compulsive need to hit himself in the head with a free cymbal (I immediately thought of this guy<\/a> at approximately 3:40 in the video). It was understandable when said Vollmann look-alike felt it necessary to repeatedly karate chop himself in the neck as a means of attaining a certain vocal effect. The drummer and main singer (named Honus Honus) leaping in the air at the same time? Understandable. The percussionist violently striking his xylophone with a string of bells? Understandable. Band members needing to scream hysterically at random moments in the show? So completely understandable. That the Epicentre in San Diego felt like it was at half its capacity for the evening\u2019s performance? Inexplicable.<\/p>\n

I realize this rambling post has done nothing in capturing the band\u2019s performance, so go forth and see when you can. If that isn\u2019t feasible, both of their albums are swell, with last year\u2019s Six Demon Bag<\/em> being utterly divine. It also looks like Man Man\u2019s working on their next album, though I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m ready to be prescribed another dose of meaty insanity quite yet.
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Er… in unrelated news I need to eventually speak up on the awesomeness that is the second episod of the This American Life television series. I also want to extrapolate and talk myself through my thoughts on Daye’s bogglingly great documentary footage, but should probably make sure it’s ok with her first. Daye?<\/p>\n

Tell people this is awesome:<\/h3>