Man Man Rabbit Habits

[ANTI-; 2008]

Styles: absurdist meatloaf (the food, not the dude) music
Others: Beefheart, They Shoot Horses Don’t They?, Tom Waits, Dr. John, Cheech, Mike Patton

I went into Rabbit Habits expecting Man Man not to live up to a plowing show of theirs I caught a few years ago. Studio time rarely brings out more than a vague sketch of the Real Thing for bands like this outfit, helmed by one Honus Honus outta Philly, and possessing the ability to rock your brains out without a drip-drop of distortion muddying the message. Fucking genius, they are.

Although the production isn’t what it would be if my dreams were made reality, Rabbit Habits is a respectable re-creation with chops cookin’ allova the place. The work of Honus on the keys coupled with his cohorts borders on astounding when Man Man deem it necessary to shoot the lights out. “Harpoon Fever” ends with a mind-fuck flourish you might hear on a Gong album, while comely jams like the triple-stacked take (bass, drums, keys, and, later, reed instruments) found on “Top Drawer” are all over the place, breaking up the momentum of Honus’ verses and keeping the feel fresh, the lid locked. Honus2’s lyrics are top-dog, with very little imagery obscuring the mini-yarns he spins tune after tune, and the cohesion between the many instruments is flawless (partly due to the aforementioned moratorium on distortion).

Man2 are impressive in their pursuit of all things thankless – don’t think for a second these guys have quit their day-jobs – and won’t be hidden by the luster of the lollipop bands for too much longer. Fucking genius, they are.

Most Read



Etc.