- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Simple Math
Label: Columbia Records
Playtime: 44:38 min
Genre: Indie
URL: http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com
Rip date: 2011-05-05
Street date: 2011-05-10
Size: 86.15 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 256 kbps / 4410Hz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
"When speaking about Manchester OrchestraÆs newest album ôSimple Math,ö lead
singer Andy Hull outlined the concept of the album as being a way to work
through the problems he and his wife faced in their first two years of
marriage, therein lies the problem. ôSimple Mathö finds Hull writing some of
the most honest lyrics he has written in his atmospheric explosion of a
career. Every song seems to be written with his wife in mind restraining some
of the raw violence and aggression that made ManchesterÆs previous albums so
incredible.
Now that Hull has found a target to aim for with his wicked and sharp lyrics,
the concepts behind the songs have been honed down considerably, though not
necessarily a good thing. Gone are the bombastic anthems such as ôIÆve Got
Friendsö and ôThe Riverö as well as the snarling angst of ô100 Dollarsö and
ôPrideö of previous release ôMean Everything to Nothing.ö However there is a
different type of power to be found on ôSimple Math.ö After some halfhearted
self-depreciation on ôDeerö and a drunken sing-along in ôPensacola,ö the album
begins to develop its teeth in ôPale Black Eye.ö The song begins with a laugh
and guitar licks that bring to mind Thin Lizzy and then the listener is
startled when the name of HullÆs wife Amy is directly referenced. The song
takes a dark turn as HullÆs cracking scream begs Amy to ôbleed your pain /
into meö before directly stating ôgoddamn IÆm tired of lying / I wish I loved
you like I used to.ö It is at this point in the album that the listener is the
most emotionally invested. The song that follows, ôVirgin,ö is one of the
darkest on the album, employing a childrenÆs choir to hauntingly sing the
chorus in a manner more akin to a meat hook than a pop one.
The title track is next and is the most orchestral and epic-sounding song on
the record. From a beginning that starts in whispers before building to a
mind-shattering crescendo, the song crushes and poignant lyrics float between
the layered violins and wonderfully distorted guitars. But after this
emotional peak, the albumÆs remaining few songs are merely satisfactory. There
arenÆt any catchy hooks or emotional peaks that make the closing of
ManchesterÆs earlier albums so incredibly memorable. The final few songs serve
as a vehicle for HullÆs angst to gain closure, as per the concept album story
arc, but there is little past that for the listener.
But that seems to be the point of the album; it wasnÆt written for the fans,
the label or anyone but the people writing the songs. After achieving this
level of recognition, many bands put out an albums full of self-indulgent
pandering for the more mainstream fan base. But Manchester Orchestra has
defied those expectations by producing an album more deeply personal and more
honest than it has ever done before. Although upon reaching the conclusion of
the record, it may come off as restrained, it has to be. Had Hull spent the
recordÆs entirety screaming until he was coughing up blood, he likely would
have found himself divorced and alone. Manchester Orchestra created the only
record it could have made, and in spite of its flaws and scars, it still
stands as a solid rock ænÆ roll record and a testament to the staying power of
this young band."
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Deer ( 3:17)
02. Mighty ( 3:39)
03. Pensacola ( 3:36)
04. April Fool ( 4:21)
05. Pale Black Eye ( 4:17)
06. Virgin ( 4:28)
07. Simple Math ( 5:05)
08. Leave It Alone ( 4:06)
09. Apprehension ( 4:35)
10. Leaky Breaks ( 7:14)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Simple Math
Label: Columbia Records
Playtime: 44:38 min
Genre: Indie
URL: http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com
Rip date: 2011-05-05
Street date: 2011-05-10
Size: 86.15 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 256 kbps / 4410Hz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
"When speaking about Manchester OrchestraÆs newest album ôSimple Math,ö lead
singer Andy Hull outlined the concept of the album as being a way to work
through the problems he and his wife faced in their first two years of
marriage, therein lies the problem. ôSimple Mathö finds Hull writing some of
the most honest lyrics he has written in his atmospheric explosion of a
career. Every song seems to be written with his wife in mind restraining some
of the raw violence and aggression that made ManchesterÆs previous albums so
incredible.
Now that Hull has found a target to aim for with his wicked and sharp lyrics,
the concepts behind the songs have been honed down considerably, though not
necessarily a good thing. Gone are the bombastic anthems such as ôIÆve Got
Friendsö and ôThe Riverö as well as the snarling angst of ô100 Dollarsö and
ôPrideö of previous release ôMean Everything to Nothing.ö However there is a
different type of power to be found on ôSimple Math.ö After some halfhearted
self-depreciation on ôDeerö and a drunken sing-along in ôPensacola,ö the album
begins to develop its teeth in ôPale Black Eye.ö The song begins with a laugh
and guitar licks that bring to mind Thin Lizzy and then the listener is
startled when the name of HullÆs wife Amy is directly referenced. The song
takes a dark turn as HullÆs cracking scream begs Amy to ôbleed your pain /
into meö before directly stating ôgoddamn IÆm tired of lying / I wish I loved
you like I used to.ö It is at this point in the album that the listener is the
most emotionally invested. The song that follows, ôVirgin,ö is one of the
darkest on the album, employing a childrenÆs choir to hauntingly sing the
chorus in a manner more akin to a meat hook than a pop one.
The title track is next and is the most orchestral and epic-sounding song on
the record. From a beginning that starts in whispers before building to a
mind-shattering crescendo, the song crushes and poignant lyrics float between
the layered violins and wonderfully distorted guitars. But after this
emotional peak, the albumÆs remaining few songs are merely satisfactory. There
arenÆt any catchy hooks or emotional peaks that make the closing of
ManchesterÆs earlier albums so incredibly memorable. The final few songs serve
as a vehicle for HullÆs angst to gain closure, as per the concept album story
arc, but there is little past that for the listener.
But that seems to be the point of the album; it wasnÆt written for the fans,
the label or anyone but the people writing the songs. After achieving this
level of recognition, many bands put out an albums full of self-indulgent
pandering for the more mainstream fan base. But Manchester Orchestra has
defied those expectations by producing an album more deeply personal and more
honest than it has ever done before. Although upon reaching the conclusion of
the record, it may come off as restrained, it has to be. Had Hull spent the
recordÆs entirety screaming until he was coughing up blood, he likely would
have found himself divorced and alone. Manchester Orchestra created the only
record it could have made, and in spite of its flaws and scars, it still
stands as a solid rock ænÆ roll record and a testament to the staying power of
this young band."
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Deer ( 3:17)
02. Mighty ( 3:39)
03. Pensacola ( 3:36)
04. April Fool ( 4:21)
05. Pale Black Eye ( 4:17)
06. Virgin ( 4:28)
07. Simple Math ( 5:05)
08. Leave It Alone ( 4:06)
09. Apprehension ( 4:35)
10. Leaky Breaks ( 7:14)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
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