November 7th, 2012 
Josh Hammond 
Artist: The Manchurian Incident
Album: Hungry Hungry Hippocampus
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that a review isn’t about personal preference. It isn’t CD shopping at Target, where one can gravitate towards the genre selection of choice. Without fail, there are always going to be bands that fall in the lap of the music reviewer that he wouldn’t generally listen to.
The percentages are fairly good that I would have never listened to The Manchurian Incident without being prompted to do so. In fact, I usually would avoid writing a review from a genre like this. When you listen to bands like Rilo Kiley, Alison Krauss and Ryan Adams, popping in an album like Hungry Hungry Hippocampus is like sitting at a restaurant serving food you have never eaten and trying to order from a menu that is written in a language that you do not speak.
I do not speak hardcore. However, sometimes you just have to point to an appetizer and hope you end up liking what the waitress brings you.
I am not disappointed with my experimental review. Regardless of the signature snarly vocals that usually send me searching desperately for the skip button, The Manchurian Incident manages to flex their aggressions in a manner that I can get behind. Burying their middle fingers beneath the mix of pounding drums and perfectly paced guitar hooks, the band flawlessly manages to place their talents right in front of their need to kick ass and collect names. This EP isn’t about ego. It also isn’t about penis envy. There is no overcompensation involved in the final product. The music and the message is spotlight focus of Hungry Hungry Hippocampus .
The EP’s opening track “#hometown” instantly reminds me of At The Drive In. The vocals, which constantly shift from a gruff scowl to haunting harmonies jerk all over the mix . Channeling Cedric Bixler-Zavala and pre-radio S.C.I.E.N.C.E era “New Skin” Brandon Boyd, the band manages to show their wide range of dexterity throughout the album. The music follows suit, twitching and dodging consistency as it weaves through glimpses of both straight-forward chords and jerky, chaotic structuring. These changes keep the music alive and energetic; the album never slips into a lull. There are no phoned-in or sleepy instances. Heavily reliant of catchy and addictive bass riffs placed over driven and persistent drumming, the tracks all seem determined to end up where they’re headed.
I expect big things from The Manchurian Incident. With the ability to win the respect of a hardened critic looming outside of a closed-door genre, imagine what this band can do to the hardcore world if given the proper megaphone. This band should in theory knock society on their ass .
SCORE: 8/10
Review written by: Joshua Hammond
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