SINGLE REVIEW: Manicburg - All Together Now
Manicburg, the brainchild of New York’s Ray Lustig and Italy’s Luigi Porto, combines their distinct musical backgrounds into an eclectic fusion of alt-rock, post-punk, and experimental influences. Both accomplished composers with careers spanning symphonic works and avant-garde performances across global stages, their new project, Manicburg, is as multifaceted as its creators. The band’s name evokes a fictional town along the Hudson River, embodying a sense of fluidity and existential questioning reflected in their music. With their lineup rounded out by Alvaro “Varo” Barahona on drums, Daniel Espinoza on bass, and Rob Salmon on guitar, Manicburg's sound is both rooted in tradition and unbound by convention.
‘All Together Now’ draws inspiration from the deep, primal energy Lustig observed during a Spanish religious parade. The track is an evocative and foreboding march, building tension through its minimalist yet impactful arrangement. Opening with a sparse, downtempo soundscape, the song feels somber yet whimsical, its delicate harmonies weaving a fragile yet hypnotic thread. Parlor guitars and acoustic bass set a haunting foundation, while the sparse percussion—a snare drum and floor tom—gives the piece a march-like pulse.
As the track progresses, the inclusion of accordion and cornetto trumpets adds a layer of macabre whimsy. The trumpet sections, feeling almost ad-libbed, inject a sense of improvisation and unpredictability. The psychedelic lyrics deepen the unease, reflecting the growing menace of collective forces beyond our control.
The song crescendos into an outro where every instrument fights to be heard, creating a cacophony that feels deafening despite its restrained tempo. This chaotic blend of sounds, each seemingly on its own trajectory, mirrors the dissonance and subtle dread at the heart of the track. ‘All Together Now’ is a masterclass in balancing fragility with intensity, offering a hauntingly unique listening experience.
