Two years after stepping onto the scene via their set at the International Pop Underground Convention, The Spinanes released their debut Manos on October 26, 1993. The band, at that time a two-piece of guitar/vocals and drums, toured extensively in a bucket seat Geo Prizm, playing with the likes of Fugazi, Codeine, Mecca Normal, Stereolab, Superchunk and The Afghan Whigs. Described by SPIN Magazine as “a bright, mercurial storm of guitar meditations,” Manos became the first album released by an independent label to hit number one on the CMJ charts. 

On December 7, Merge will reissue Manos. Watch the music video for “Noel, Jonah and Me” before pre-ordering the album in the Merge store on CD, LP, and opaque yellow Peak Vinyl, the latter of which includes an 8-page 12” × 12” booklet with rare and unseen photos and Manos-era ephemera. Peak Vinyl and LP formats include a digital download of Manos plus four rare songs from the Spinanes archive.

From Gail O’Hara, editor-in-chief of chickfactor:
A college radio hit, Manos was characterized as indiepop or indie rock or “alternative,” but also had a touch of art rock, folk, emo, math rock, postrock, even jazz, nearing the same spiritual space as ’90s bands like Unrest, Sebadoh, and Versus. [Rebecca] Gates told our zine in 1993 what kind of record she wanted to make: She wanted it to be “really magical—the way the first Verlaines record is or a Replacements record—things that you can put on when you feel horrible.”

Named after a misheard Jesus Lizard lyric, Manos is just that: It sounds like smoky venues and dance parties at punk houses: woozy, tight, fraught, wrought, tense, intense, swoony, breathy, fast, worldly/weary—sophisticated and primitive, stressful and soothing.

Pre-order the shiny new Manos reissue now in the Merge store, add a song to your favorite playlist, and stay tuned for all the latest news by bookmarking The Spinanes’ website.