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Man-Made
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 21 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Merge / Pema
Release Date: 07 June 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
The first studio album in five years for the Scottish rockers was produced by Tortoise's John McEntire.
Also By This Artist: Howdy!
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Playlouder
Here is an album with all-new complexity, unforseen depth and many delightful hidden layers.
Read Full Review >Splendid
Man-Made is among the finest collections of pop songs any of us will hear all year.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Man-Made is, to be sure, the least immediate record Teenage Fanclub has made since Thirteen, but at a compact and finely-tuned forty-two minutes it avoids the flaws of that under-edited and under-cooked record and nestles itself softly into the heart of every TFC fan as another low-key modern classic.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
If the sparse approach to sound and instrumentation is thoroughly 21st century... the vocals are squarely in the Byrds/Beach Boys tradition, at times almost outshining their role models.
Read Full Review >Uncut
A slate-cleaning exercise that positively radiates contentment. [Jun 2005, p.102]
Q Magazine
With each release, they tweak and slightly reinvent their wheel--and use it, happily, to keep on trucking. [Jun 2005, p.112]
Dot Music
You may need to spend a little more time getting to know the Fanclub these days, but without any clutter you get closer, deeper, right to the very heart of it all - emotionally and musically.
Read Full Review >Mojo
A classic Fannies record with scant regard for prescribed notions of cool. [Jun 2005, p.104]
Lost At Sea
It is immediately more slanted than their standard fare - incorporating electronic elements and seething mystery at times - but it still sounds like Teenage Fanclub, which is, on all counts, a thoroughly good thing.
Read Full Review >Urb
The harmonies resonate and the melodies hook into your skull. [Jul/Aug 2005, p.109]
PopMatters
Review #1: If you love 4/4 time pop, this is for you. If you don't, you'll be converted. [score=80]; Review #2: If it has a fault, it would be an overall lack of immediacy... But this is still a damn fine pop album. [score=80]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Man-Made has just as many buzzy electric guitars and bashing drums as other Teenage Fanclub records, but they're mixed into something softer and more pillowy.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
While nobody could accuse Teenage Fanclub of taking huge creative risks, more often than not the tracks on Man-Made do resemble something along the lines of '70s soft rock group America backed by Stereolab -- which is a very cool thing.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
Five years is a long time to make fans wait, but the quality of the material and willingness to tinker with their fairly rigid pop formula has resulted in another memorable, extremely listenable collection of songs.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
You could dismiss Teenage Fanclub as not being original, but that would be missing the point. Instead, appreciate a group that, in 2005, can create absolutely perfect songs that somehow manage to channel the magic of early-to-mid-'60s pop-rock.
Read Full Review >Filter
They've certainly found a solid niche with the Big Star/Byrds bubble and pop. [#16, p.91]
ShakingThrough.net
This is a mature, reflective work (read: repeated spins are expected to reveal the deeper layers), the sound of a veteran group content with its cult status and simply playing to its strengths: Smartly crafted guitar-pop that will appeal to the faithful and perhaps add an adherent or two.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Man-Made ultimately sounds exactly like you'd expect a Teenage Fanclub album to sound, but with just enough extra to make it feel new again.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
At worst, McEntire renders the songs on Man-Made a tad monochromatic. Most of the time, the production and songs come together seamlessly.
Read Full Review >Magnet
A sweet deja vu, it's 1991 over again. [#68, p.111]
Rolling Stone
Eerie and lovely, this is the sound of a band that's managed to mature with dark dignity.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
The material is as hit-and-miss as previous TFC records, but this is the liveliest disc the band has put out since Bandwagonesque in 1991. [#16, p.134]
Entertainment Weekly
Feels like Teenage Fanclub's winter CD, owing a debt more to the mopey introspection and sparse arrangements of Nick Drake. [17 June 2005, p.83]
Alternative Press
Too many tunes struggle to remind listeners of their catchiness. [Aug 2005, p.166]
New Musical Express
Ultimately, the album is weighed down by its very gentleness. [30 Apr 2005, p.64]
Under The Radar
A little too straight--a little too synthetic--to be truly memorable. [#10, p.114]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
ND Brown gave it an8:
A beautiful, moving, almost trancendent album. The minimalistic production allows the warmth of the melodies and harmonies to come through, and 'It's All In My Mind', 'Cells' and 'Only With You' must be some of the best songs of the year.
JP Nesker gave it a10:
This record makes my top 3 of 2005, along with "Plans" by Death Cab, "Some Cities" by doves, and "Illinoise" by Sufjan Stevens...anyone who isn't moved by the peerless pop genius of Norman, Raymond, and Gerald has no musical soul...nuff said.
Eddie_V gave it a9:
This album is a real jewel, it brings me back souvenirs, it make me happy. The sound is incredible, the voice is excellent. All songs on this album are amazing. Not listening to this album is missing one of the best music experience!!!!!
Jeremy K gave it a9:
A very mature, unpretentious recording from the most underappreciated band around today (that I know of). Their arrangements, both melodically and rhythmically are a refreshing lift from the predictable pop/rock variaton - and they don't ask -or plead - as some bands do, to be worshipped by their listenership. Light fare, fantastic stuff enveloped with the innate knowledge that real, lasting power and beauty lie in subtlety and understatement - not catch phrases, sound bites or overzealous "anthems". This album is an indication that they march on with pride of artisanship in tact - unwaveringly true to themselves as a musical entity that continues to levitate in its own space.
Jason P gave it a9:
A great disc. Nilesh B. hit the nail on the head: the initial listen may not make you think it's a great album, but the hooks and warmness of the album burrows into you mind and starts festering. It's gotten to the point where I can't go more than 20 minutes without smiling and humming something from this disc. It's also good that Mr. McDonald is back on the drum kit as well. His sparse playing ties in great with the album's sound. Highly recommended.
matt a gave it an8:
All around solid pop/british rock. Nothing that's going to change the music industry, but good nonetheless.
Jonathan C gave it a9:
Another winning outing from the best band in Scotland. Timeless, mature power pop in the same vein as the previous release "Howdy."
