Another week, another alumnus of the Brit School Of Performing Arts signs a major-label record deal. 23-year-old piano man Jack McManus was in the same year as Amy Winehouse (Luke Kooks was – yawn - in the year below), although the experience didn’t exactly set him on the fast track to pop stardom: he spent his first years after graduation playing trumpet in West End musicals.
Now here he is, signed to Universal, offering his debut single Not The Hardest Part as a free download. And it’s pretty good, a classic-sounding slab of FM pop that will no doubt get played by the same radio stations who hammer fellow piano-rockers Scouting For Girls, with whom McManus is currently touring.
Sadly, although it's still early days, the other tracks we've heard stray rather too readily into MOR cliché. With a faint sense of disco-dad cheesiness and, let’s face it, that corkscrew hair, the dread spectre of Toploader hangs heavy over proceedings. But hey, if Ben’s Brother can have a Top 10 hit…
11:18 AM | 14/11/2007
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Good review but slightly inaccurate as the debut single is not 'Not The Hardest Part', but in fact 'Bang on My Piano'.
Posted by Mick McManus - (jack's Cheesy Dad) at 11:02 AM | 24/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Interesting review but straying a long way from the truth. Every compere of his solo events has noted the quality and depth of his lyrics. His music is refreshing and different, a million miles from Toploader. As for the hair - that is the stuff trademarks are made of. I've already patented the 'Jack' wig, on general release for his world tour next year.
Posted by James Wallington at 11:27 AM | 06/12/2007 | Report Abuse
Not sure this review was done by some one in the know. The debut single has a nice feel to it and I look forward to hearing the rest of the album. Making a comparison to Toploader in style is harsh, a good front man needs to stand out and the hair promotes that. Good luck to him
Posted by Paul Wilson at 1:56 PM | 07/12/2007 | Report Abuse
not keen tbh.
it's boring and pretty samey but hey, if bens brotther can have a hit.
Posted by steve j at 11:38 AM | 09/12/2007 | Report Abuse
Blinding single and I am told by others that have seen him live, that this guy is definately the one to watch in 2008...Gorgeous too!
Posted by Trish MacKinnon at 5:38 PM | 28/12/2007 | Report Abuse
Saw this guy play at the Metro Club last night and he was brilliant, i think he has real star quality.
Posted by Joel Burt at 2:48 PM | 20/02/2008 | Report Abuse
Sounds like crap Toploader outtakes to me.
Posted by Jake Price at 8:29 PM | 14/03/2008 | Report Abuse
Great music. 'Bang on my piano'- what a tune!I can see Jack being huge very soon if what I've heard is anything to go by!
Posted by Marco Federco at 7:19 PM | 25/03/2008 | Report Abuse
Great music. 'Bang on my piano'- what a tune!I can see Jack being huge very soon if what I've heard so far is anything to go by!
Posted by Marco Federco at 7:20 PM | 25/03/2008 | Report Abuse
I remember jack from a few years ago at his cousins party. He is an extraordinary person and extremely talented. I wish you well at the start of your career. All get good and bad reviews but there is no reason for you not ace this.
Posted by paula londors at 4:23 PM | 01/05/2008 | Report Abuse
I'll buy his album when he cuts his hair, he looks like a cross between shane ward and bill and ben the flowerpot men. don't they have style advisors at universal
Posted by Courtney at 12:24 PM | 12/05/2008 | Report Abuse
Never mind the look for God's sake, LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!!!!! Amy and Too Late For Yesterday are phenomenal tunes. This guy will go far!
Posted by Tony Heare at 8:18 PM | 03/07/2008 | Report Abuse
Or even Too Much Of Yesterday!
Posted by Tony Heare at 8:21 PM | 03/07/2008 | Report Abuse
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