AVarntanymore

There are few things I love more than discovering new music. One of these is eating too much food at Christmas parties. But there's a price to be paid for that. Exploring new music, on the other hand, just keeps making me feel better and better. I'm listening to Manchester Orchestra. Vocalist/songwriter Andy Hull spends much of I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child wrestling with God. And while there's no clear winner at the end, it presents an entertaining battle. Wild Sweet Orange is also spiritual, but it appears as though God holds greater sway over these boys. "I can't forget what Jesus said," they admit at one point. But whether Jesus' words haunt or comfort, both bands are well worth investigating.

narcoticprayer

I saw Manchester Orch open for Kings of Leon this summer and they were great. I bought their CD the next day and wasn't disappointed (although they're even better live!)