Sign In to rate and review
CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Baroque psychedelia mingles with west coast pop and gothic folk in this dazzling third solo album from the La Luz frontwoman.
90
Though Cleveland's delivery is generally far more subdued, Manzanita shares a similarly transportative, anciently psychedelic feel with The Incredible String Band's magical '60s work.
Print Only
1mo
80
Manzanita mostly shimmers obliquely with light and spells.
Print Only
1mo
80
Lyrically, the album represents one of Shana Cleveland’s most daring and open song cycles.
80
It's a lovely album to get lost in, offering sounds which might go unnoticed on the first few spins, but will rise up as repeat listens make Manzanita's insular and mysterious dreamworld a more familiar place.
50
Overall, Manzanita is an easy-listening album that can be put on if you need a moment to relax, decompress and get out of your head, but it isn’t something that you are likely to commit time to listen to intently.
Beautifully executed world building on this project. Shana’s reflections on motherhood and love in connection to nature are profound and incredibly lovely. I’m an indoor kitty myself, but this project beckons me to get outside and get lost in the beauty of nature. You’d expect guitar and woodwinds on an album such as this, and they are certainly present and heavily featured, but I especially appreciate her use of synth to invoke the sounds and scenes of the natural world. ... read more
I don't think this was billed as an acoustic album, but it is way more folky, with almost no trace of the psychedelic elements from her previous album. many of the songs sound like La Luz outtakes. her acoustic guitar playing is of course exceptionally good, but almost too much care was taken to capture the near mechanical perfection of her playing style. the whole album feels a bit heartless but not in a good way. I can still appreciate her massive talent level, which is impossible to ignore ... read more
When it comes to baroque folk and psychedelic dream pop components, Manzanita is extremely favorable; it's an intriguing and curious Shana Cleveland LP.
With its general dream pop aspects, it's really pleasant — a very warm but nevertheless deep sensation, possibly like being on the path of a large forest. Nothing is particularly memorable, but it has a pleasant ambiance and vocals that are introduced at precisely the perfect intervals in the songs, leaving plenty of opportunity for ... read more
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Track List
| 1 | A Ghost 2:51 | 73 |
| 2 | Bloom 0:11 | 67 |
| 3 | Faces in the Firelight 3:36 | 75 |
| 4 | Mystic Mine 3:55 | 68 |
| 5 | Light on the Water 0:39 | 62 |
| 6 | Quick Winter Sun 2:52 | 73 |
| 7 | Bonanza Freeze 2:16 | 75 |
| 8 | Gold Tower 3:30 | 73 |
| 9 | Babe 2:36 | 72 |
| 10 | Ten Hour Drive Through West Coast Disaster 1:24 | 68 |
| 11 | Evil Eye 3:28 | 70 |
| 12 | Mayonnaise 2:57 | 73 |
| 13 | Sheriff of the Salton Sea 2:58 | 70 |
| 14 | Walking Through Morning Dew 4:06 | 70 |
Total Length: 37 minutes
Advertisement
Added on: January 11, 2023