Manners
by Passion Pit
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Spin
    60
    Poptimist Michael Angelakos tried to hold onto his girlfriend with Passion Pit's first EP. That didn't work (blame the self-obsessed lyrics), but on his band's debut full-length, their squeaky indie-pop theatrics are more convincing.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    On the whole, Manners mostly evens out into a consistently listenable experience, the joy of one absurdly successful track spread out in variations and reformulations across the entirety of an album with inevitable dilution in the process.
  3. Mojo
    60
    Gone is the Fisher Price-redolent instrumentation and found--sounds, in their place something more measured and radio friendly. [Jun 2009, p.98]
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  5. Q Magazine
    60
    At times--'Little Secrets,' despite its kiddie choir, 'The Reeling' and 'Moth's Wings'--it's a little too cloneishly Jake Shears for comfort. At other, though, they soar with MGMT-esque widescreen vitality. [Jun 2009, p.130]
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  6. Uncut
    60
    Manners is impressively slick and sparky but probably just a little too toothpaste fresh. [Jun 2009, p.93]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    58
    Manners attempts to synthesize Michael Angelakos’ natural talent for dance music with more straightforward, heart-on-sleeve rock, but can’t quite commit to either.
  8. cokemachineglow
    56
    I could go song by song and come to the same conclusion with pretty much each one: the dedication to this carefree whimsy of youth ultimately stands as the most impressive thing about Passion Pit, and it wears thin quickly.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed Album of 2009
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 87
  3. Negative: 1 out of 87
  1. MacsMusic
    May 14, 2018
    7
    Manners is lots of fun thanks to the music. "Kingdom Come," "Moth's Wings," and "Sleepyhead" sound really great, especially "Kingdom." It andManners is lots of fun thanks to the music. "Kingdom Come," "Moth's Wings," and "Sleepyhead" sound really great, especially "Kingdom." It and "Sleepyhead" never get old. They are original, strange, and attention-grabbing. Unfortunately, much of Manners is forgettable. This is probably because the music throughout the album has very little variety; the songs on this album all stick to a similar electronic-pop sound. "The Reeling," "Swimming," and the previously mentioned tracks stand out, but many of the others on this album are forgettable. The two stripped-down songs on this album are good, but nowhere close to great.

    Manners has it's fair share of strong, memorable songs, but has an equal number of forgettable ones. Still, Manners is an interesting, entertaining album I would recommend to all electronic-pop fans looking for something original with some depth.    … Full Review »
  2. gusmerchan
    Nov 14, 2016
    10
    I absolutely LOVE this electro/dance rock/pop album. It has become one of my all time favorites. Almost every song is catchy and veryI absolutely LOVE this electro/dance rock/pop album. It has become one of my all time favorites. Almost every song is catchy and very originally done. It sounds very modern, lots of synthesizers although you can detect some classical instruments. Lyrics are intriguing and go very well with what goes on musically. Their rhythms and melodies just stick to your brain and make you feel good. Pure dance rock / pop bliss. I give it a 10 because it's right there at the top of the music I like the most.… Full Review »
  3. mdm389
    Jul 13, 2012
    8
    The lyrics are deep, the melodies are catchy, and the synth rock arrangements are fully thought out and beautiful. A perfect album? No, butThe lyrics are deep, the melodies are catchy, and the synth rock arrangements are fully thought out and beautiful. A perfect album? No, but it's damn close. Just to nitpick: if they had eased off using the children's choir backing vocals so often, this would be a 9 out of 10.… Full Review »
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