Album Notes

STATUESQUE is the voice and songs of English pop auteur Stephen Manning, composer of genius guitar hooks, mesmering melodies and clever funny sad angry lyrics, put together (with the help of passing drummers) in a rich tapestry of varied, highly original recordings.

CHOIR ABOVE FIRE BELOW is Statuesque's masterpiece. From the sharp guitar pop attack of "Touché" to the rich, layered guitar textures of the sublime "Present Historic," from the samba-driven lament of "Are You Sure?" to the jarring sonic invention of "Safecracker" and "Weaponised," the album represents a new renaissance for intelligent British pop creativity. With songs (and titles) like "Boys Are Lazy Girls Are Crazy" and "Rock And, Therefore, Roll," Stephen Manning may now be crawling through the catflap of the Canon of Great Lyricists.

Statuesque emerged in the 1990s with live shows in London and considerable interest from the US underground. Esq on CD debuted on U.S. label Cassiel in late 1996 with the 5-song "Angleterre," led by college radio favourite and CMJ pick "Ton of Feathers, Ton of Steel." This was followed in 1998 by an album, "Arbiters Anonymous," recorded at the legendary Fort Apache studios in Boston. Reviewers noted the originality and strength of the songwriting, and, as a three-piece, the band's mini-tours of the U.S. east coast gained a cult following.

People have said:

"Although his band's level of commercial success may not reflect it, Stephen Manning, who leads this way-far-underground U.K. outfit, is one of the best songwriters working in the pop-rock idiom. Manning's stuff stands up alongside your favourite Smiths, Morrissey and Radiohead records, while sounding totally unique and individual." -The Big Takeover

"There are some people who are just blessed with an endless stream of tunes, and Statuesque singer / guitarist Stephen Manning is one of them." -Los Angeles Times

"The best English pop band you've never heard is Statuesque." -CMJ