The Atlantic Manor – Slow Drugs and Other Sorrows (Do Too Records) If you know nothing about this band then I know more than you, even though I know very, very little. What I do know is that I love this album from start to finish. This duo is like Idaho with the ability to really wig out, but without the treacle trowel. (They don’t need it, and, to be honest, nobody does it as well as Idaho anyway). Eight self-penned ditties that range from the twelve minute slow-core “Bad News For The News Scene” to the very sprightly (and just as off-the–wall and lyrically dense) “A Clear Day For Love” which would derail you coming right at the end of the album if it wasn’t for the earlier rock-out “A Silent Moment” (which it most certainly isn’t). As the album title suggests, it’s mainly a sad, slow journey, and it doesn’t get any better than “Fire In The Sky”, a very sad and gentle musing on insecurity, wanting to ask THAT girl to dance with you: “I sit in my car And I stare at the sky. I get the nerve to go inside And I don’t have the moves But I’m still going to try”. I haven’t heard a song tug at my heart this way, taking me back to my own place in my youth, since The Weakerthans “East Kildonan”. Yep, it’s that good. Pass the big hanky, please; I’m playing it again. www.theatlanticmanor.com Kev A. Next