CD of The Week

Man Man returns from hibernation with their fifth full length, On Oni Pond; second in a row with producer/engineer, Bright Eyes member, and Saddle Creek Records mainstay, Mike Mogis. As with Man Man’s previous effort, Life Fantastic, Mogis continues to strip away the carnival and off-kilter aesthetic, choosing to shine the spot light on hooks and pop melodies that have been there all along. A fine example of simplicity-done-right is the first single from the album, “Head On.” It is a light doo-wop ballad, destined to backdrop an elegant car commercial in the near future (and brings to mind Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away”).

That is not to say Man Man has forgone diversity withOn Oni Pond. Sure, they offer new obvious standards here like “Pink Wonton” and “Sparks,” which could have both easily fit ontoLife Fantastic. But Man Man also brings a new depth of genre diversity. The slow big band instrumental opener “Oni Swan” starts things off on classy note. They keep the retro vibe going later with the melancholy vaudevillian show tune, “Curtains.” “Loot My Body” feels like what Man Man would compose if commissioned to write a campy horror theme. And “Paul’s Grotesque” offers a nod to George Clinton / Parliament as a funkadelic space-walk jam. Perhaps the most dynamic track on the album is “Pyramids.” It starts with catchy vocals paired with a steel-drum enhanced xylophone; typical of the Man Man catalogue. But they shift gears in two instances: first in the chorus, incorporating a smooth ELO-styled harmony. And then they go for broke in the instrumental bridge, randomly inserting their first ever heavy metal guitar freak-out around the 2:15 mark.

Overall, On Oni Pond lacks the urgency and honest emotion present on albums past. But singer Honus Honus (a.k.a. Ryan Kattner) assures us that enjoyable surprises are embedded within, and he asks listeners to give it a chance. His request comes as a soothing double-edged sword. While assuring loyal fans that the creative oddities are buried deep down, waiting to be uncovered, he also makes the promise to naysayers that the kitchen-sink-clatter image of old has been hushed. No matter what camp you are arriving from, trust him. On Oni Pond is worth the wait.

And if you know what's good for you, go see these songs as they were meant to be heard: two unforgettable dates live at Union Transfer on Mischief Night and Halloween.