Manic 'Another New Home' album

“We’d rather be playing music.” That is the default response you are likely to get from any of the four members of Los Angeles’ Manic. Catching any of their dynamic and honed live shows, listening to the power crunches of their first EP, Floorboards, or the layered textures of their latest EP, Another New Home, it is obvious the above statement is not just a throwaway one used for avoidance purposes, instead playing music is not only what Manic would rather be doing, more often than not, it is probably what they are doing.

Formed in 2002, the quartet of Paul Gross (vocals/keyboards), Zane Smythe (guitar/keyboards), Nate Perry (bass/keyboards), and Ryan Green (drums) has always taken the belief in playing live to heart. Following some well-intentioned advice, the group packed themselves off to the UK in the summer of 2006 for an extended four-month series of Club NME dates. Understanding their individual, and still developing style didn’t quite fit into any of the local trends at the time (think electro, think Eighties throwbacks, think mainstream alternative) they knew the pocket scenes of music, small clubs, and open-minded radio of the British Isles would be more conducive to them growing as a band.

Emptying their collective bank accounts, Manic left with just themselves and their gear. No product, no samplers, no giveaways, and barely any merchandise, not knowing what might come of this extensive gamble. Acting as musicians, roadies, bus drivers, and tour managers, the foursome had the learning experience of their lives, and while they returned dirt poor, they also returned a much stronger group.

“It was a great thing because it gave us a lot of time to develop our live show under the radar,” says Gross. “It helped us learn what we wanted to do live. It’s where we shine the most. It’s what we put most of our effort into.”

Drawing from their experience on the road, Manic joined their friend Shawn Jimmerson of Dolphin Force at his studio, The Company, in Burbank, CA to record and co-produce the Floorboards EP, released January of 2007. Following Floorboards is Another New Home, set for release in July 2007. Once again co-produced by Manic and Jimmerson, and mixed at NRG Studios for a sonic boost, Another New Home is a giant leap forward for Manic and a good indicator of the powerful force the group is destined to be.

Where Floorboards veers towards accessible rock chords, Another New Home looks inwards, both for sounds and sentiments, showing glimpses of the group’s dark interior. Representing the distinct personalities in the band from pessimistic (Smythe) to realistic (Green) to blindly optimistic (Gross) to “the Larry David of the group” (Perry), Another New Home goes beyond what meets the ear. The multi-levels of sonics escalate the traditional rock format with the inclusion of noises from numerous unconventional sources.

The density of the guitars on the title track is punctuated with concentrated keyboard work. Balancing the thickness of the instrumentation are Gross’ emotionally-charged vocals. The mournful wails of “Nickel Medication” sound doom-filled on first listen, but upon closer scrutiny, there is an underlying delusional hope. In contrast “Carolina Ghost” is upbeat with joyful guitars providing an excitable backdrop to the downbeat vocals. The EP closer, “Calm,” goes as far as featuring extended minutes of mesmerizing static that proves hypnotic.

“So many of the ideas we have we’re not going to be able to hammer out with the four of us,” says Green. “It usually ends up completely different than what we intended because we have circuit-bending toys and all these other things to create sounds that bring out another idea in the studio. We add another track and it turns into this monster.”

Their massive sound filled with audio manipulation and a keen eye for detail carries over expertly to the stage. Under a glow of red lights and amidst towering equipment, the foursome pulls its audience in with its gripping atmosphere. It’s obvious playing music is indeed what these four guys love most in life.

band members
Paul Gross – vocals/keyboards
Zane Smythe – guitar/keyboards
Nate Perry – bass/keyboards
Ryan Green - drums

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Tracklisting

Manic - Another New Home