Album Notes

"Vancouver's premier hard-rock band" is on the road – again – and they’re more of a sonic tour de force than ever. With the winning addition of powerhouse drummer Jay Koenderman, this road-hardened quartet is earning a reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting rock ‘n’ roll bands.

After releasing two studio recordings – critically acclaimed debut Buried Love and recent EP Strange Disaster – The Manvils had a beer-flavoured taste of success in 2007. The band earned a starring role in the national Budweiser Guitar Maker commercial, and on the heels of their sudden popularity they hit the road with a vengeance. Manvil firepower smoked out New York, LA and Toronto three times this summer, and all points between. Stages shook, ears bled and crowds leapt to the sweet, stinging melody.

All that mileage has helped The Manvils to create that most elusive of rock phenomena: the buzz. The word is out about this band, and The Manvils have captured key slots with Stereophonics, They Might Be Giants, The Horrorpops, The Suicide Girls, Darediablo, The High Dials, and the Bellrays. One particularly memorable show saw The Manvils rock out with Anton Newcombe, frontman of Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Having risen to the top of the rock pile, The Manvils continue to sell out gig after gig with their unique blend of vintage blues and psychedelia, mixed with the bittersweet poetry of heartbreak.


The Manvils
Buried Love
Independent

The highlights on Buried Love add up to a real feast. The ‘oohs’ on “Bible Billy” (which could be from Rust Never Sleeps); the ‘oohs’ on most of the songs, as a matter of fact; the elastic riff that powers “Between the Lashes”; the new wavey “Undertow”, wherein vocalist Mike Manville’s croon falls somehwere between Richard Butler and a cock rock Morrissey sponsored by Schneider’s Hot Rods. “Missing You” made me think of the Gun Club. Vancouver is full of amazing rock bands all of a sudden, and these guys are the dark horse who will probably get their due when it’s too late, but make no mistake: Buried Love deserves huge raves. I’m raving. The band has precious chemistry and the frontman is ridiculous. Plus, the cover is insane.
- Adrian Mack