Title: Catch The Breeze
Product review: In case you've missed out on the latest resurrection of a long-dead musical trend that was marginally popular to begin with ... shoegazing is back! Though some have redefined it as blisspop or dreampop, this emperor isn't fooled. Manual have eschewed the vocals (save some occasional hushed whispers), sticking with reverb-drenched guitars and keyboards to get their mellifluous point across. The 6 songs on Azure Vista stretch to over 45 minutes in combined length, mating the sonic sensibility of a Darla release with the breadth of a Kranky offering. If you recognize the references above and wish your Slowdive albums didn't have all that singing, then you already know songs like "Neon Reverie" and "Clear Skies Across The Coastline" are for you. Those who are familiar with Manual's previous works may find this one to be a bit of a departure, but it my mind it's just a step away from the electronics and more towards dreamy guitar soundscapes.
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