Bad Books

Album Review

Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and solo artist Kevin Devine first crossed paths in 2007, when both were tapped as openers for Brand New’s spring tour. Although they released a split EP several years later, this self-titled album is the duo’s first collaborative project, with both musicians sharing lead vocals and songwriting duties. The track list is split in half: Devine contributes five new tunes, most of them acoustic, introspective, indie folk ballads in the vein of Elliott Smith; and Hull offers an equal amount of noisy, messy pop/rock in return. Although they play on each other’s material, the two don’t carve out a unique sound as much as adapt to each other’s style, and this disc often sounds like another split EP as opposed to a conflation of talents. On album highlights like “Holding Down the Laughter,” though, Hull and Devine find a common groove, mixing cheesy ‘70s keyboards and lo-fi charm with earnest, summery pop hooks.