Passion Pit - "Manners"

Today marks the release of Passion Pit’s full-length, Manners. If any band is primed for a sophomore slump, Passion Pit should be with the instant success and acclaim they received from their debut EP Chunk of Change. After touring extensively, singer/songwriter Michael Angelakos and the band have incorporated that live energy into the arrangements to give Manners a more fleshed-out live band sound.

The synth and guitar interplay and post-punk drumbeat mixed with Michael’s flailing falsetto makes album opener, “Make Light” sound more fit for the stage instead of the dance floor. While the next song, “Little Secrets” is a huge, banging club anthem with pounding drums, rumbling bass and a children’s choir (?) on the chorus. In a break from the action, dulcimer loops flutter on top of shimmering synths on the more downtempo and sullen “Moth’s Wings”. Lead single, “The Reeling” and “Eyes As Candles” are dripping in so much 80’s inspired synth that I can actually envision Debbie Gibson in the videos! And that’s just it, Passion Pit provides so much nostalgia with a modern edge, you cannot help but devour every note with a passion. “Folds in Your Hands” shines with sunny synths which builds to the end of the song with a busy climax with a chorus of voices and keyboards sounds. Chunk of Change standout, “Sleepyhead” is repeated here without any noticeable changes. And “Seaweed Song” ends the album on the right note with more yearning, rafter-reaching, vocal melodies all over a choppy beat and chiming keyboards.

While nothing may jump out at first, it is because the high expectations have made you a little hesitant, but it definitely doesn’t take long for these perfect pop songs to bury themselves in your head and have you singing along by the second chorus. Proving that surgically sculpted songwriting and clever production and instrumentation is all you need to make a great and lasting record.

Today only, you can download "Manners" for only $2.99 here: http://www.amazon.com/Manners/dp/B0027D4ADG/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1242763549&sr=8-9

For more info click here: http://www.passionpitmusic.com/