Do they have it all or too much? This question was repeatedly on my mind as I listened to Man Man's major label debut Rabbit Habits. To set up this review, the album is on Anti Records, a label known for doing everything far from conventionally. While Man Man's music is heavy on piano and horns, they manage to adopt a lot of Eastern influences along with rock, and even funk. Plenty of instruments occupy the record's sonic space like xylophone throughout "The Ballad of Butter Beans," percussion on "Mister Jung Stuffed," and even surf-style guitar on "Harpoon Fever (Queepeg's House)." "Doo Right," half-way through, shows elements of a ballad and thereafter slower tempos dominate the remainder of the album as on "Poor Jackie" and the waltzy closer "Whalebones."
Lyrically the album also seems to be tangential. On the same disc you can find songs about girls, friendships, science, and zombies. (Hopefully not all together!) Collectively, however, something fresh still comes out of the mix. Man Man provides a musical adventure that keeps you guessing. Just don't anticipate coming home soon.
John Paul Leonardi
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