My favorite part of Lou Barlow is that he can make a song go both ways. He’ll craft an indie-rock classic that sounds great fast and loud or make it sound equally at home with the indie-folk arrangements he has become notorious for. Manson Family Picnic, from Brooklyn, appears to have stumbled across the same formula. 
Their song “The Mistakes” seems to efface the slacker attitude—bringing up questions that are answered with callow joy. “What’s all this commotion about dying? Look at the ocean we’re all lying.” The message is centered on the ebb and flow of life.
The musical arrangement is centered on the band’s use of unique instruments (in subjective descending order of uniqueness): charango, glockenspiel, accordion, violin, banjo. The result is akin to the Carter Family playing indie rock. Similar to the Carter Family, Manson Family Picnic takes advantage of vocal harmony—in this way “The Mistakes” derives much of its appeal. You really feel like you’re getting a true band effort. It sounds fun and seems to say, “You will sing along.”
“The Mistakes” appears on the band’s self titled album along with six other songs that should instantly be listened to. Check out their stuff by visiting CDBaby or MySpace.
Listen here: .“The Mistakes”
