Atlanta based band, Manchester Orchestra, is relatively new to the music scene. Having only formed in 2005, singer Andy Hull opted for home-schooling during his senior year of High School to focus on his singing and song-writing talent as well as record and album titled "Nobody Sings Anymore". The album, however, has never been released due to personal changes with the band, the band's sound and direction, stating that "The band that recorded that record was different to the band now". Some tracks, however, do make an appearance on the 2006 album "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child".

Currently signed to Favorite Gentlemen Recordings, the band continues to tour and play to loyal fans, having just completed a tour as supporting band for Say Anything, along with Biffy Clyro and Weatherbox. Manchester Orchestra will be playing at 2008's Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL, so if you're out that way, be sure to check them out!

My personal experience with the band started in May, 2007 in E. Rutherford, New Jersey's yearly festival "Bamboozle". While waiting for Chicago natives Madina Lake to play, a band called Moros Eros took the stage, horrified us all by having semi-seizures and proclaiming that people told them they sounded like The Killers. (I almost felt bad when people laughed). We were beginning to question if it was worth waiting through another band to see Madina Lake when Manchester Orchestra took the stage. At first, I admit, I was a bit skeptical. ... Who wouldn't be after sitting through a half-hour of off-key pseudo-screamo? But the moment they started to play I, along with the three other girls I had gone to the show with (Including Doctah J!), were blown away and completely captivated! For being such a young (new to the scene and physically young) band, their sound is so developed in a way that it takes many, many bands several albums to achieve.

Andy Hull's vocals literally bring tears to my eyes, he puts everything and anything he feels into his voice, and as I watched him drop to his knees and sing the ending of "Where Have You Been" while his bandmates respectfully bowed their heads, I glanced around and saw that I wasn't the only one brushing tears off my cheeks. The instant I got back from New Jersey, I was looking them up and buying everything I possibly could off of iTunes.

In doing so, I realized that I had a Favorite Gentlemen's download card, and I went to the site, hoping to find some gold-mine of unreleased tracks or other-such, but it turned out that all the Manchester Orchestra songs they offered I had already purchased from iTunes. However, I picked a few random ones that had interesting titles, including two songs by a band called "Right Away, Great Captain!" Upon listening to the songs, I was in love... but something was insanely familiar. The voice! It was awfully similar to Andy Hull's of Manchester Orchestra, what a coincidence! Perhaps they're highly influenced by each other! I looked up Right Away Great Captain on myspace and- WAIT!... that is Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra!

Folks, check out both of the bands. You won't regret it. I'm giving you my word on this one, Manchester Orchestra has a bit of something for everyong, and if you regret it, I'll buy you a song on iTunes or something... I'm completely serious.

Manchester Orchestra = good band. That's all that I can say about the band after I saw them live. It was the Bamboozle show in New Jersey last May, and me, Caity, and a few friend were waiting to see Madina Lake. We got there early to get a good spot right in front of the stage, so we saw the Moros Eros show, which was terrible, and Manchester Orchestra was just setting up. My hopes weren't high after Moros Eros, so I wasn't expecting much. However, after the first song, I was amazed. The band members looked like a bunch of Frat boys, but the music they produced was a hypnotizing mix of folk-y and rock vocals, piano riffs, and some pretty rocking guitar!

All I can say is that if these Georgia natives play a show near you, see them. You won't regret it.

Oh Manchester Orchestra. I remember my first experience with them, it was Caity coming back from Bamboozle last year going "A-MAN-DA! I am going to WHORE OUT A BAND TO YOU!" And she did, because it's one of the things we do best for each other. Well, she sent me a few songs, and a few videos, and I abosolutely love them! Andy's voice can stir a hell of a lot of emotion from out of nowhere, and I'm sorry, I don't care who you are... but that's talent! (Also, their podcasts make me giggle. Immensely.)

Check 'em out. They're awesome, I promise.