Audio Cassette review:
Mansun - Attack of the Grey Lantern

Mansun - Attack of the Grey Lantern

Band: Mansun Title: Attack of the Grey Lantern Rating: Release Date: 24 June, 1997 Media: Audio Cassette Tracks: 1: Chad Who Loved Me 2: Wide Open Space 3: She Makes My Nose Bleed 4: Naked Twister 5: Take It Easy, Chicken 6: You, Who Do You Hate? 7: Mansun's Only Love Song 8: Taxloss 9: Disgusting 10: Egg Shaped Fred 11: Dark Mavis

Customer Reviews This CD will grow on you It's probably been my favorite song ever since then, but I never did try and track down one of their CDs. I have been a Mansun fan since I heard "Wide Open Space" back in '97. I bought this one about 4 months ago, and have listened to it virtually every time I'm in my car. As the other reviews state, it is quite a strange sound, but Paul Draper will definitely hook you in with his voice & lyrics and it will continue to grow on you. Definitely a 10. Keep in mind I guess I'm not a real Mansun fan. I picked up their other 2 CDs after I thought I'd move on to their other releases. "Six" was one of the worst CDs I think I have ever listened to, and "Little Kix" is quite dull throughout - definitely not on par w/the "Grey Lantern". You will not regret picking this one up. The Most Innovative British band of the 1990's This is rock album as sweeping cinematic epic, every song seguing into the next and containg a central thread filled with colorful (sordid, in frontman Paul Draper's words) characters such as Dark Mavis, the Stripper Vicar, The Chad, and Egg Shaped Fred. Sadly, Mansun are no longer with us, having broken up at the end of 2003, but this, their first album (the UK version) is fantastic. Absolutely gorgeous in its musicianship, singing, and production, this is a great album if you're into great British bands like Blur, Suede, Pulp, and Radiohead, and want to dig a little deeper into that sound and style. In fact this album is the one that knocked Blur's fantastic 1997 self titled album off the #1 spot in the charts. All the songs on here are excellent, but check out the opening trilogy of tracks, Stripper Vicar, Egg Shaped Fred, Wide Open Space, and the majestic and haunting finale, Dark Mavis. Phenomenal. One last note. . . DO NOT BUY THE US VERSION OF THIS ALBUM. It is chopped up, rearranged, has songs missing, and completely ruins the album as it was intended. You'll spend a bit more for the UK version, but it's worth it. Besides, the added tracks on the US version are available on the excellent Kleptomania box set. And another cool band from the UK It is a shame too, since I think they're cool, quirky, and fun. Mansun is one of the many UK bands that just never made it here. Their music is full of bizarre lyrics, sweeping strings, rocking guitars, and synthesizers. It is Britpop with a dark side. I like to listen to bands who are basically unknown in the US, and I almost always realize that I've found another great act. Mansun is no exception here. I can't really think of another band to accurately compare them to, they are just Mansun. I say give this CD a listen though. Either you'll really like it or you will think it is quite weird. It may even grow on you, but if not at least you'll have given it a chance. . You can see a complete list of all Mansun discography, or go back to the Mansun tabs