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Teenage Fanclub

Man-Made (2005)
Merge Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on March 24th 2006

Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub might sound like a cheesy pop-punk band at first glance of their name, but upon actually listening to these twelve bright, glimmering pop tunes, it’s plenty clear they have a lot more depth than any Blink-182 clone can offer.

Their presence is a bit understated, and it’s likely going to take a few listens to Man Made to really let all the subtleties sink in, but once they do, it’ll open you to wealth of real pop beauty. Their sound is not at all removed from the previous six studio efforts, so it’s not going to attract anyone who didn’t like their back catalog, nor push away long-standing fans, but what it will do is keep in with their tradition of wonderfully textured songs that stick with you long after they’re over.

They don’t stick initially, though. It’s going to take a little bit of work on your part to give these songs a chance to be drilled into your head, and with a bit of patience, they will. It’s because of how laid back and wistful the vocals are, that nothing stands up and grabs you right away, but there’s beauty in simplicity, as Raymond McGinley’s vocals are sublimely eloquent. He never strains to hit a note, never yells to draw attention to himself, knowing that the perfectly crafted pop tunes behind him will allow people to make that jump themselves. The instrumentation reminds of so many `60s pop bands in its carefree resolve and penchant for harmony. McGinley’s vocals glide right over top of it all in all their melodic glory, while the pitter-patter of the snare and slow moving chord progressions push each song along.

“Flowing” is a shining example of how delightful these songs can really be, as McGinely’s voice is so genuinely full of life, coming right off the heels of “Fallen Leaves,” where the band turns the distortion on and lets the guitar work come to the forefront over top of a crackling organ. The guitar tones are so full and rich that it just puts a smile on your face, and you can’t help but understand what you may have been missing to that point. These Scotsman are the epitome of brilliant songwriters.

Closing with a gorgeous ballad, “Don’t Hide” includes the most subtle use possible of the instruments until the chorus comes along, and they’re turned up to just the right pitch. An extremely well-layered and well-textured effort from the trio, showing that seven albums into their career, they haven’t lost a thing.

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Anonymous (March 28, 2006)

Nice review, although it reads as though Raymond McGinley sings lead on every song. The lead vocal on each song is sung by the person who wrote it.

benz (March 26, 2006)

All i'm saying is that i'm trying to vaguely clear things up from my point of view on this argument.

WilliamZabka (March 25, 2006)

These guys were on SNL circa '91

rkl (March 25, 2006)

hi will!
teenage fanclub is more punk than any of the shit you hold close to your high school heart!
fanboy faggot!
hi!

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

No, all you say is that they aren't Blink 182 rip offs, but they have "pop beauty" or whatever. Oh yeah, and one song has "60's guitars" (yeah, because you know, all 60's guitars sound the same. Whatever).

You never said they were a pop punk band, but you never cleared up that they are actually a melodic indie rock band. You just said they were pop. Also, have you even listened to their past records? How can you say this is "a lot like their past six studio albums" or whatever? Did the press sheet tell ya so?

-Will

kindofalongwaydown (March 24, 2006)

Anyone remember Boyracer??? I still have that 5" they put out on zero hour...

rkl (March 24, 2006)

i listened to teenage fanclub for the first time last weekend in the middle of a coke binge. really good stuff. i think the ablum was from 89 or so. score is for it.

Anchors (March 24, 2006)

Nowhere in the review do I infer or suggest they are a pop punk band. You need to improve your reading comprehension, dude.

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

Well, you never actually cleared it up. Don't pretend you went on to explain that they aren't a pop punk band at all. All you did was say they aren't Blink 182 rip offs. :)

-Will

Anchors (March 24, 2006)

Will, the only comparison I drew to Blink 182 was that the name of the band, (Teenage Fanclub) sounds like the people making the music would make music akin to Blink 182. Jesus. Does highschool teach reading comprehension any longer?

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

Hahahahahahah. Cheesy pop-punk band? This band has been around for a long time- way before Blink 182.

They aren't punk.

At their punkest, they're 60's garage style rock.

But basically, they are melodic 60's style rock with some added distortion.

I'm sorry, but why did they send this in to be reviewed here?

-Will

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

You forgot, Anchors has to compare every band to one of like four other bands in every review he writes, regardless of any relation to them whatsoever.

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

But Anchors, this is like writing a review for an Oasis record.

notfeelingcreative (March 24, 2006)

Is this the band that used to sound like Matthew Sweet?

Anchors (March 24, 2006)

Teenage Fanclub formed in 1989. They were a well-known band in the 90s British indie scene.

Apart from the fact that they bear no resemblances to Blink-182, they've been around for 10 years before those fuckers got famous with Enema of the State.

Score is for ignorant reviewer. Next time at least do some research, if you write about something non-emo/screamo.

Good thing you read the second paragraph, where I mentioned their six previous albums and exstensive back catalog.

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

And the vocals are split three ways - Blake, Love and McGinley generally sing on what they wrote.

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)

Sadly not a patch on 'Grand Prix' or 'Songs From Northern Britain'.

They had a few tracks that had the energy and catchiness of melodic pop-punk - 'Radio', 'Starsign' and 'Discolite' - although for the most part it's pretty traditional retro rock with chiming guitars and summery vocal melodies.

opened_ground (March 24, 2006)

almostpunkenough, I can't tell if people are super dense, completely reactionary, or the idiotic comments are a result of a poor educational system. I'm going to wager all three.

almostpunkenough (March 24, 2006)

uhh, dude two posts below this, i'm pretty damn sure he was saying they're NOT at all like Blink 182.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (March 24, 2006)

You totally failed to mention "power-pop" in this review.

Anonymous (March 24, 2006)