Who? From “the depths of the Gowanus Canal” (which gets name-checked on their song, “Motels”), the Brooklyn-based trio Mancino has been building a steady following for their brand of experimental indie pop rock, gigging in the NYC area and exhaustively touring the U.S. Releasing their first EP, Dear International, in 2005 to positive feedback, Misters Mancino — Mike Grimes (vocals/guitar/bass/percussion), Nadim Issa (keyboards/bass/vocals), and Jonathan Mason (drums/vocals/ percussion/toys) have since headlined alongside the likes of Tapes ‘n Tapes and Sam Champion. Their 2007 self-released debut LP, Manners Matter, is available now through Insound and via the band’s website.
What’s the Deal? Manners Matter shows a band eagerly adopting different genres, and just as easily shrugging them off for the next number. On the experimental scale, these boys show touches of the blithe blending abilities of the Beach Boys and XTC, but are not quite as willfully abstruse as say, the Fiery Furnaces. The opener, “Circus Scabs,” twinkles with the quirky pomp of its Big Top namesake, while “The Lavender Lake,” all piano and heart, could pass for a lost Ben Folds gem. In a disc full of solid offerings, “Hetchie Hutchie Footchie” is still a standout with a dance sensibility that’s at once perfectly modern and lovably ’60s retro.
Fun Fact: Less than a week after drummer Mason had an appendectomy, Mancino was back in action, giving their high-octane all to the packed Hot Rocks party at NYC venue, The Delancey. Guess they thought to cancel would be rude, and, after all, manners matter. BRIANA MOWREY
Now Hear This:
Mancino – “Hetchie Hutchie Footchie” DOWNLOAD MP3
On the Web: Mancino at MySpace Mancino.com
Talk: Does Mancino’s music Matter?
