It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is told through the eyes of Hull as he braces himself for an ever-changing reality while questioning everything around him.Īfter the opening track the record kicks into high gear with "Mighty, " by diving into a pool of grunge and dirty southern inspired rock, bringing the listener back to 2009's Mean Everything to Nothing. "Deer" is a soft-spoken apology to friends, family and fans. The theme of the album is isolation and regret, which plays heavily throughout the album, starting at the very first track. The band has since developed and evolved throughout the second release, Mean Everything to Nothing (2009), and now they have arrived at a new level with Simple Math, released through Columbia Records,a much needed addition to today's indie music scene. In 2006, Manchester Orchestra released their debut album Like a Virgin Losing a Child, which quickly became a hit amongst indie-lovers all over America. Created as a concept album reflecting a family crisis, it's hard to think of another time when front man Andy Hull has made himself so deliberately vulnerable. This is a band that puts so much time, effort and feeling into every song, they deserve every penny.In Simple Math's 10-song, 45 minute composition, Manchester Orchestra show off the most honest and fulfilling album they've put out during their career. Once you begin the album, it’s nearly impossible to stop, and one that is definitely worth the money. It’s up to me now,” Hull said on the website.Īll in all, this album exhibits how the band has matured since their last album, both musically and lyrically. It’s all here and ready to be confronted. “The lyrics are so evolved compared to where we began. The album’s final three songs slow down quite a bit, featuring even more emotional lyrics about friends, hardships and endurance. If you only have time for one song, make it this one. The music turns into a loud, melodious piece and takes its throne as the integral track of the entire album. After the chorus, the music and vocals go straight back down and go through the same evolution as the first verse, this time with symphonic instruments backing in addition to the band. Hull’s vocals start off at whisper-volume, but steadily increase with the music as he reaches the chorus. The first pre-released song, MO fans got a taste of the new album when this was generously given to the public Feb. Immediately following Virgin is Simple Math, another of my favorites. And if it couldn’t get any creepier, a small choir of children sings the chorus near the end of the track. The chorus sounds like he has many people behind him singing as well. The song starts slow, with ghostly guitars and a slowly building beat, followed up with heavy chords during the chorus. To all of these issues, the same lyric applies: It’s never gonna be the same,” Hull said on the Manchester Orchestra website. The loss of my virginity, the potential loss of relationship, and the realization that our band has and will change after our first album. “It’s a tri-fold story that parallels three ‘firsts’ for me. Song number six, Virgin, is the last of three pre-released tracks, and my personal favorite. The song slows down in the middle and end, showing the band’s range and musical talent to tie in slow-paced emotion with passionate, high energy playing. Hull’s lyric screaming is a definite hook and is what I like about MO. It sounds akin to MO’s previous albums, featuring loud guitars and even louder singing, the first one the album to do so. Its acoustic, angelic sound is accompanied by lyrics like “There’s nothing in these wooden drawers to bring you back… I don’t know what to do with me no more…” You can hear Hull’s pain through his voice in all songs, but especially this one.įourth on the LP is April Fool, a song pre-released by the band for promotional purposes. The album kicks off with Deer, arguably the most emotional-sounding song on the album. This concept album, an album unified by a central theme, focuses on frontman Andy Hull’s “reaction to (his) marital, physical and mental failures.” Simple Math is the result of Hull’s “(putting) his life back together,” symbolized by the geometric shapes featured on the album cover, website and puzzle.Įach song is packed with emotional lyrics and singing, with a symphony of powerful music backing it including actual orchestral instruments like horns and violins. If you’re crafty enough, there are ways to download it for free, but this is an album for which you won’t regret spending the money. Manchester Orchestra’s latest full-length album Simple Math is regarded by several critics, including myself, as their best yet.Īlthough the official release date is May 10th, you can listen to the full album on their website, so long as you solve a math puzzle. Screenshot from title song Simple Math‘s lyrical video.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |