Mean Everything To Nothing
by Manchester Orchestra
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 21, 2009
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. PopMatters
    60
    Hull's mistakes are few on Mean Everything to Nothing, an album that probably signals the youngster coming into his own.
  2. AllMusic
    60
    Mean Everything to Nothing has its moments and shows Hull to be a decent enough songwriter, but there's ultimately too much outright mimicry on display and not enough originality for it to have any longevity.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    55
    Though Manchester Orchestra’s dedication points to the possibility of good things in the future, Mean Everything to Nothing falls largely flat.
  5. Pitchfork
    52
    When they're satisfied with rocking the fuck out, they do it exceedingly well, but when they try to acquire the adult answers, they'd do well to chill out and enjoy being young.
  6. Q Magazine
    40
    Thir second album is suitably heavy on post-adolescent angst but, for all frontman Andy Hull's best efforts, singularly lacking it's own voice. [Jun 2009, p.134]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 36
  3. Negative: 7 out of 36
  1. NickE
    Apr 25, 2009
    9
    To me, this comes incredibly close to topping their brilliant debut, "I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child". From the growling, almost To me, this comes incredibly close to topping their brilliant debut, "I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child". From the growling, almost grunge-like rock out of "Pride" to the soft, touching harmonies on "I Can Feel A Hot One", this album hits the same heady heights of their first LP. I'm still mystified, however, why Pitchfork's marks seem to carry such a heavy weighting on MetaC. I actually think they hate everything.… Full Review »
  2. ewilks
    Nov 17, 2014
    10
    Adam Hull really shows his maturity with M.O.'s followup to "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child." I would normally hesitate to use the term,Adam Hull really shows his maturity with M.O.'s followup to "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child." I would normally hesitate to use the term, but I can't think of a more appropriate word than masterpiece. It is an infrequent occurrence for anyone in the music industry, especially today, to develop a thematic album, both musically and lyrically, but Andy Hull and his talented band mates have assembled just such a work with "You Mean Everything to Nothing."
    Despite being only 21 at the start of recording, Hull managed to assemble a list of one meaningful song after the last. When most kids his age are happy making efforts in music, or lyrics, Hull shows the acumen of song writing like that of a veteran twice his age. Not only is he able to show a range of musical moods, but he weaves in an remarkable self-awareness and ability to express his feeling in song.
    But this has all been done before. We've seen this, in rare cases. Somehow M.O. weaves the themes of humbling self-doubt and an expression of intense love for his wife, throughout this offering. I don't know how anyone can listen to the song, "Everything to Nothing," and not feel that this isn't one of the great love songs.
    The musical theme starts at the beginning of "The Only One" and is picked up on many of the tracks. I haven't heard a commitment to theme like this on any album, since Pink Floyd's "The Wall." I won't loop through the album track for track. I feel that this album should be taken in in its entirety. Like "The Wall" I find it strangely troubling to hear one of the tracks independent of the rest.
    No matter the power of the songwriting, it is only as strong as the band. Lucky for Hull, he has surrounded himself with talent. Hull is a great guitarist in his own right, but Robert McDowell does a great job working the leads; allowing Hull to stretch his voice. But, I see the band's instrumental signature sound coming from keyboardist Chris Freeman who injects an extremely heavy sound to an otherwise melodic band.
    Keep in mind that I'm a 48 year old man. I usually have little interest in anything that a 21 year old has to say or play, but I see this band as a force majeure of modern music. I hope that as these kids grow and develop (hard to consider after hearing this album) we are going to hear even better music, more meaningful lyrics. I, for one, couldn't be more impressed with Manchester Orchestra.    … Full Review »
  3. Quacke
    Sep 14, 2014
    6
    The album gives a lot of fun to listen and has some really great moments. However it has to many weak spots for me to call it overallyThe album gives a lot of fun to listen and has some really great moments. However it has to many weak spots for me to call it overally awesome, but it is good enough.… Full Review »
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