It's an ok single, as radio-friendly pop goes and I took the opportunity to speak out on the subject of Brit School, McManus being a recent graduate. I have nothing against the institution per say but it is responsible for churning out pop artists rather than decent song writers. Anyway I didn't want to single out McManus or make an example of him - but I make a fair point.
The review:
Brit School has a lot to answer for. As an institution it is a fantastic idea - an opportunity for emerging talented musicians to hone their skills, share views and experiences with peers, and create 'art'. But the school's output leans heavily toward off-the-shelf pop music, rather than independent spirit, and is responsible for the likes of Amy MacDonald, The Kooks, Katie Melua and more recently Adele. These graduates have one thing in common: their music is described as accessible which often means safe and predictable, radio-friendly or worse 'commercial'. Jack McManus, unfortunately, has joined this group.
His debut single 'Bang On The Piano' has a natural quirky charm, even if it does sound horribly close to 'The Feeling'. 'You Think I Don't Care' is an attempt to get a bit more serious; to strive for some credibility. The result is a song which is all about the chorus. After a slightly downbeat opening of plodding guitars and spurious percussion, McManus starts the melancholy tale of how he is feeling sorry for himself and he wishes he could talk to people. It is about as close as he gets to wallowing in self pity as the music picks up for the hook, bringing in more instrumentation and vocal emotion. It is the only redeeming feature of an otherwise average pop song, even if it trails off at the end. Quickly into the second verse, the lyrics do not get any better: the trite "I want you close, but give me just a little room" is followed by the obscure "I'll leave the engine running; that is what I do" before the chorus again. So far, so formulaic. But McManus breaks the rules slightly and after a wording change he neatly slides into a dour segment about messing up before an agonisingly guitar ridden but entirely predictable third chorus. Then it fades.
Jack McManus is clearly still learning his trade. He is a decent musician lost in this new world of Radio 2 pseudo-pop. And this is the big problem. A new breed of singer songwriters are trying to make their own music but are continually steered in a different direction; a safer, more comfortable direction of easy listening and record sales. Music is now about pleasing people and making money. Bring back the art.
-- CS (for The Music Magazine 2008)
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