Shape-shifting Chicagoans Manishevitz issue jazzy ambiance (hey, someone blowing sax), kick into Neu! pulsations, and get flirty with art-rock angles. "Dead Birds" possesses a quick-witted Television-y rhythm, slick soloing, and Cramps-like Richard Hell enunciations (Neon Boys!), but remains eminently now. There's nothing retro about it, though at the same time it's not entirely contemporary. Timeless? We hate to say it, but it feels kinda something like that, only not so dramatic.
Manishevitz - "Dead Birds" (MP3)
See, they're even talking about a downtown art scene. The sextet's fourth album East To East is the first since 2003's much loved Jagjaguwar released City Life. We've only heard a couple songs off from it, but so far it's well worth the wait. If you need another dose, you can catch East To East's title track at the band's MySpace. Welcome back, dudes.
East To East out 12/4 on Catbird Records.
