Manchester Orchestra once struck me as a band who knew how to capitalize on the concept of indie marketing without anything to back up their story. This was, of course, before I heard any of their music. Like the “ironic P.B.R.” and the “ironic t-shirt”, I admit lumping these Atlanta, GA natives in with hipster trends. I read all the glowing reviews from the throngs of press on all sides of music calling Manchester Orchestra, and I’m paraphrasing this of course, the greatest thing since the industrial revolution.

So in a way, I guess I was fearful I would lose my credibility for the fact that I am as fond of a band as Rolling Stone Magazine. This seems to mark an event which has barely happened since the early 1990′s for me. But, I digress…what were we talking about? Oh yes. Manchester Orchestra.

Now I have heard their music, especially I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child, an infinite number of times in the recent past. How wrong I was about my fantasy of empty hype and myth; I find my self drawn in by the songwriting and performances, and impressed with their ability to adapt to the modern state of the music industry with integrity. Unlike some who claim provenance over technology’s marketing hurdles while failing to follow the sound advice looming in the trees above them, Manchester Orchestra isn’t afraid to promote themselves in all the right ways. They’re not, so it seems, afraid of the success that their songs are giving them, the new listeners and fans (including me) who have latched on, and the accolades their music is rightfully receiving.

Listen To Manchester Orchestra – “Alice And Interiors”

Manchester Orchestra will be appearing at Bonnaroo 2007 in the Blue Room Cafe from 4-5:30pm on Saturday. You can visit them on MySpace by clicking here . You can purchase I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child from Insound by clicking here.

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