Cannonball, the new album by Man/Woman/Chainsaw, is a significant development of the band’s sound. The music is more refined, mellow and seemingly more mature than their previous work. This is not to say that the album is boring or simple though. At times, their music is both quiet and beautiful (often because of the violin), whereas at other times it’s loud, brutal and abrasive – sounding more like their previous work. 

By Stanley West

However, on their newest album Cannonball, the music is less chaotic overall – even when it devolves into distortion, there is a semblance of structure.

Despite the album’s name being taken from the 1993 hit by The Breeders, Cannonball does not feel like a ’90s tribute. It remains original and strikingly modern, with the exception of a few songs like The Thing, which sounds like an In Utero outtake. For the most part (although Man/Woman/Chainsaw have clearly taken inspiration from the alternative rock of the past), the similarities are not obvious or gimmicky. 

The album is also strong lyrically, although I will say that Goddamn Lizard Man and The Thing are far weaker than the rest of the album. The other songs are often ballad-like, usually (but not always) about love and always interesting.

Get Up and Dance is another highlight, both lyrically and musically, as well as tracks like Canyons and Only Girl.

In summary, you will probably like Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s music if you like the rock music of the ’90s, but the band are not attempting to replicate the era on Cannonball. For the most part, they manage to create something new – and with great success.