Passion Pit: Manners

Passion Pit
Manners
Frenchkiss Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: I bet this album is going to grow on you!

Album Review:
Passion Pit stormed onto the hype scene last year with the excellent Chunk Of Change EP and now Manners is their official full length debut. This album expands on the electro-indie dance pop they perfected last year and Manners is bigger sounding then you might expect and never holds back delivering a punch throughout its 45 minutes. Passion Pit will have your foot tapping the entire time as you get one of the most exciting singles in "Sleepyhead", which is carried over here from the EP, to other tracks like "Little Secrets" and "The Reeling" that make use of a children's choir, giving them an extra upbeat and enjoyable swing, while all the songs have a underlying pulsing and pounding beat with precision timing. Passion Pit would be nothing without the soaring falsetto of vocalist/songwriter Michael Angelakos, that commands attention on every track with his range and talent for changing tempos mid-stream. Manners is an album that might not immediately appeal to some because it has a slick production and eager pace that at first might put you out but I recommend giving Passion Pit a few more spins before making an ultimate decision. They are a group that successfully can blend a multitude of genres and come out on top. With one misstep, Manners could have been an over-hyped mess but sticking with the formula created on Chunk Of Change, Passion Pit have offered an album that has a solid replay value and will get you movin' everytime you hit play!

Key Tracks: "Sleepyhead", "Little Secrets", "Eyes As Candles"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Animal Collective
MGMT
Phoenix

Passion Pit: Chunk Of Change [EP] [Fire Note Review 10/31/08]

Passion Pit MySpace
Passion Pit Info [Allmusic]
Frenchkiss Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta