Mancino: Manners Matter

Like a gooey plate of macaroni and cheese or re-runs of “The Simpsons,” there’s something comforting about a bright and bouncy pop record. Manners Matter, the debut full-length album from Brooklyn trio Mancino, is a prime example of this with all its jangling guitars, playful rhythms, two-part harmonies, and familiar yet vibrant joys.

Following up the 2005 EP Dear International, this new effort finds Mancino reveling in the ornate and the baroque, all the while keeping their melodies accessible and up front, never allowing their showy instrumental flourishes to overshadow a good tune. With that said, their instrumentation is often ornate, such as on the cascading piano of “The Anvil and Me” or the carnival atmosphere of “Definition of an Accident,” which has a hint of Danny Elfman in its pop grandeur.

Mancino does have a tendency to err on the side of silliness, as they do on the “Hetchie Hutchie Footchie,” coordinating a cartoon-like group recitation of the song’s title. These moments are rare, however, and a beautiful waltz like “Five Blades” more than makes up for any prior misstep.

Manners Matter may exhibit familiar influences like XTC and The Kinks, but Mancino‘s sweet harmonies and colorful arrangements sound surprisingly fresh and sophisticated. Though it may not be innovative, it sure is a lot of fun.

– Jeff Terich
Mancino