manchester orchestra

So i do these CD reviews for WMAR, and this week was Manchester Orchestra. Despite the inclusion of a well-placed gong in the opening track, Manchester Orchestra bored me into submission. To be fair, the music itself is actually really good...parallel harmonies keep it straight with block piano chords and a simple set of drums, leaving the music simple and to the point. On a rainy day, if I needed to glare at my journal and feel alone, I'd put this on. Maybe I'm just too happy to see a place for this in my permanent collection...others may disagree. Their track "I was a Lid" adds some raw guitar, but it still doesn't prompt me to headbang or anything. If Explosions in the Sky added introspective lyrics strained emotionally into the mic, this would be it. Don't buy it unless your Postal Service vinyl is scratched up and you need something to replace it but not be as good.