By Kate Birch
Well I know its over-said, but The Manatees are just something else. Fresh-faced, authentic indie from the south coast; for teenagers who are apparently just “bumming around in a band”, an EP as silver-toned and seamless as Avoiding Glances is unbelievable.
Sunshine oozes from lazy drumbeats in Saturday Night; a grumpy bass line coaxing the sharp sounding riffs that flourish preppy rhythm melodies along with nonchalantly harmonious backing vocals – a personal favourite from the EP.
The unprecedented voice of 19-year-old lead singer Jay, accented with the blasé harmonies from each other member, reeks of that boyish charm that is only heightened by the wittingly honest lyrics that gold-plate each track.
The inspirations of each member are so evident through the way they play and their taste’s in music seemingly bring a lot of character to their own work.
Who else but RHCP’s Chad Smith could inspire the spirited beats of drummer, James B? The Johnny Marr and Clapton influences of lead guitarist Tyler are evident in the bluesy undercurrents that laze under the surface of his effortless and drowsy guitar leads.
As well as this, what is most noticeable in track ‘Pissed on Prosecco’, is the lethargic bass-line that takes the spotlight. For 16, The Manatees’ bassist is undeniably well accomplished, taking inspiration from the likes of Circa Waves and apparent ‘guilty pleasure’ Bruce Springsteen. (I mean who doesn’t love Bruce?)
Jay – “Bob Dylan was my biggest inspiration growing up, he got me into song writing, and also taught me that you don’t necessarily have to be the best singer to make good music” In this case; the best of both.
Teenage antics manifest themselves in brilliantly upfront lyrics. Drunken mistakes, awkward relationships and youthful honesty come alive in unexpectedly well written lyrics. Alike the pragmatically poetic words of Turner in his early work with Arctic monkeys, and with the same comical charm of The Wombat’s ‘Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation,’ the lyrics are a real defining point for The Manatees.
Jay – “I remember my mum’s face the first time she heard ‘Saturday Night’, I don’t think she was too impressed!”
A down-to-earth four-piece indie band; bringing sweet-sounding melodies and lazyily buoyant bass parts to lyrics that are too brilliantly outspoken for their own good. If The Manatees can produce work that is this well founded at just 19 and 16, I cant wait to see what they have coming.
