Passion Pit, who hail from Boston in the US, are the brainchild of Michael Angelakos. Angelakos' critical acclaim started after the release of the 'Chunk of Change EP' which he wrote and recorded as a belated valentine's gift for his girlfriend.
N**N
A Must-Have Album for Everyone, but Especially Passion Pit Fans and Fans of Electronica/Dreampop
Manners by Passion Pit (Michael Angelakos) is absolutely remarkable. The songs, while all sharing that unique Passion Pit sound, are very distinct from one another and come together for a very enjoyable album with high re-listenability. Each song is super catchy, upbeat, and sure to have you singing along in no time at all. This is the first album by Passion Pit and it is actually the last album that I bought for some reason (I bought Kindred and then Gossamer first), but it is quite possibly my favorite album overall. Sleepyhead is quite arguably one of it not Passion Pit's most popular song to date, and the other songs are just as entrancing.I actually discovered Passion Pit while trying to find bands with similar sounding music to Empire of the Sun (quite possibly my favorite band and who I recommend highly and especially if you're into electronica/dreampop). At first, I was really drawn into his singles like "Lifted Up (1985)", "Until We Can't", "Sleepyhead", "Carried Away", and "Take A Walk", but with each album I purchased, I instantly started falling in love with all of the other songs too. I give this album five stars because I believe that Passion Pit combines catchy up-beat and full-sounding songs with poppy-yet-meaningful and uplifting lyrics to create timelessly enjoyable music.
R**W
I Fell in a Passion Pit
I came aross Passion Pit comepletely by accident while at work. I believe it was the song "The Reeling" and it was very catchy, but I had no idea who the singers were. After extensive hours of searching the interene, I finally discovered the bands name and looked up their other works as well. I only heard about 5 songs but I was already hooked, however what really grasped me to purchase the album was the album cover; it was so colorfully abstract that it had me to believe that this album was incredible, and luckily I was right. Now I am an avid Hip Hop fan, but I also enjoy alternative pop as well such as MGMT, Empire of the Sun, Phoenix and Foster, The People, so its kinda hard to believe that I've never heard of this band. But like I said, I'm glad i did, this album is absolutely incredible from production to songwriting to melodies, its just a fun body of work. The voice of Michael Angelakos is very high pitched but it sounds great for this kind of music, it actually reminds me of a modern day Bee Gee's. Personally I like some songs better than others mainly because I find them more catchy than others such as the fist pumping "Fold In Your Hands" and the headbumping "The Reeling". Some songs are more mellow like "Moth Wings". If you need music to listen to for a fun drive or the summertime, this is the perfect album.
R**B
Great musical hooks along with youthful angst intensity
This is a perfect album for springtime, when all things seem possible. Michael Angelakos, the principal artist within the group, has created a pop masterpiece expressing youthful angst and its promise of a better tomorrow with his major, major pop musical hooks and the intensity of his vocals. The lyrics, of course, don't make any sense at all and don't matter, which he readily admits. Angelakos sells the importance of these songs with his intense voice, edgy tone, and almost operatic vocals. This album reminds me of Gregg Alexander's (recording as New Radicals) masterful album of about ten years ago "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" --with the monster hit "You Get What You Give." To give you another idea as to what this album is like, think of last summer's huge hit "Wolfgang Amadeus" by Phoenix. There's a lot to like about this "ear candy" album. So don't fret about the lyrics and enjoy the heavy listening you'll give his album all the way to the end of the summer. Major songs: "The Reeling," "Moth's Wings," "Seaweed Song," and, of course, "Sleepyhead."
G**S
(For those that bought original release of Manners) I Recommend buying tracks 12-14
I, like many, bought Manners when it was originally released and it did not include tracks 12-14. So needless to say I was a bit shocked when Amazon suggested that I buy Sleepyhead (Stripped Down Version) and that it was listed as being on the Manners album. So I came here to check it out.I did end up buying the three tracks (no sense in repurchasing the album) and I strongly recommend them to anyone that is a fan of Passion Pit. Now keep in mind that the stripped down versions are just that, stripped down. So don't expect to hear that alternative/electronic sound that we all associate with Passion Pit."Dreams" is a cover of The Cranberries' song of the same name. It does have the electronic sound that we all know and love about this group. And, I gotta say, I was very excited when I saw this on the album. I am a die-hard Cranberries fan and I love it when bands I like cover songs done by other bands I love. Its just interesting to hear my favorite songs done in a new style.If $3 seems like too much to be spending just for 3 songs than I highly recommend that you buy Moth's Wings (Stripped Down Version). To put it simply, the song is beautiful. When I bought Manners, I bought it for Sleepyhead and The Reeling. Moth's Wings, however, was the reason I recommend the album to all my friends. In my opinion, it's the best song on the album and this stripped down version just sends goosebumps down my body when I listen to it. Its just incredible.
W**S
Passion Pit Review
I recently attended a Passion Pit Concert At the Greek after seeing the group on Jimmy Kimmel and they were great. Quite a range of sound and styles, some very unexpected as the lead singer will hit highs and sing in that tone for the length of his whole song. Though that is not how his voice really sounds it has got to be allot of effort to do it for many songs as he does.So I had to purchase their albums as they are the background on many ads both in radio and TV Similar to The Black Eyed Peas and Maroon 5. Very catchy and talented and I hope they produce another album soon as they took quite awhile to come out with this last one which I think they can top if they are as good as I believe!
D**Z
Lap-Top Rock :-)
I came across Passion Pit via The Mummers who do a wonderful version of 'Sleepyhead'. I thought that was so good, I searched out more of Passion Pit's stuff on YouTube and ordered the CD.So - was it worth the risk? Oh yes, I think so. Apparently the EP Chunk of Change was first recorded on a laptop. So, it kind of fits in with that lovely sort of home-made feel like Animal Collective . But the album benefits from a full studio.It's great - it's really happy, fun music. It does have a rather 70s Supertramp feel to it - the vocals are definitely reminiscent of Supertramp, but in places it gets quite 70's funky as well, although most of the tracks have a heavy 4/4 beat.The sleeve notes consist of the lyrics - they're all a bit hippy-trippy:'When I came down the dawn poured into meI shook 'em up the walls came crumblingMy thin skin trembling with these salty woundsMy stolen gold inside the emperor's tombNow painting rainbows on my ugly face'.Er, right. I think Jon Anderson would be quite at home with some of these! Still, those lyrics come from the second track 'Little Secrets' which is a really funky track with a chorus of 'Higher, higher, higher'.Then 'Moth's Wings' starts with mandolins, before the piano and heavy 4/4 beat comes in again.'The Reeling' reminded me of ' Tempovision ' which, admittedly, isn't very 70s. Again, it's a really funky, heavy synth sound, but with a thumping 4/4 beat.'Swimming In The Flood' is a down tempo ballad, but with heavy percussion right up front.'Folds In Your Hands' - vocal harmonies, thumping synth, funky, happy pop music.'To Kingdom Come' starts with a nice guitar riff, then the heavy percussion thumps in, gentle synth and vocals and, curiously, a horn section (well, probably a synth).Then 'Sleepyhead', which is just a lovely, silly, happy, daft song, backing vocals by Alvin And The Chipmunks , well, sounds like.Overall, then, a sort of retro-electro-pop and above all happy sound. Definitely 70s inspired - but please don't let that put you off! There's some good stuff here :-) The MummersChunk of ChangeAnimal CollectiveSupertrampJon AndersonTempovisionAlvin And The Chipmunks
S**O
Manners
I bought `Manner's based on an Amazon recommendation and I have to say I am thoroughly glad I did. To call this a feel good album would be an understatement. This band is wonderfully fresh and original and have their own unique style that manages to make you smile and sing along after only a few listens of the CD. Standout tracks for me have to be `To Kingdom Come' and `Sleepyhead' (which is also on their debut EP Chunks of Change) which has the most infectious chipmunks sounding vocals on it! The lead singer sings in falsetto style at times and the lyrics are pretty `out there' but they suit the music and lend the whole album a certain charm. This is a short album, but perfectly crafted and the more polished production suits this album perfectly (their EP was produced at home on a laptop and whilst good, you can tell this album is better produced). If you like slightly indie, lo-fi, low key, original bands then this is the place to go and at least you can say you were in on them from their early albums before they undoubtedly get huge!Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
K**Y
Not my cup of tea
Love walk the moon, was searching for similar had Passion Pit recommended, but not really my cup of tea
W**N
Fantastic upbeat album
I would recommend this album, I think it's great! If you're ever in a bad mood put this on and it will cheer you up! Apparently the lead singer suffers from depression, but it certainly doesn't show in the music..
E**S
Love it!
Such a nice chilled out album with proper feel good music. Sleepyhead is by far my favourite, but loads of good ones. Will look to buy more music by them soon!
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