manchester orchestra simple math tracklist

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA SIMPLE MATH TRACKLIST SKIN

This isn’t a perfect record, nor is it the album that will propel Manchester Orchestra into the mainstream, but it most certainly will get the band some much-deserved attention. ‘Apprehension’ and ‘Leaky Breaks’ offer something calmer, but still offer that kick-in moment that will take your breath away. Songs such as ‘Mighty’ and ‘April Fool’ keep it heavy and energetic, anchoring down the middle sections of the tracklisting. ‘Simple Math’ can fool you every now and then, but don’t forget that at heart, this is still an indie rock album. The guitar work throughout ‘Simple Math’ is reminiscent of the band’s previous albums this combined with Andy Hull’s harsh but brilliant vocal style, keep Manchester Orchestra firmly rooted in their own unique sound. The band seems right at home playing over orchestral violins and piano, this something that is new to the band, but doesn’t detract from the signature Manchester Orchestra sound. The title track is beautifully haunting, and the tension seems to forever build up over an accomplished score. There is no doubt that Hull is a fantastic lyricist, he makes the most mundane of activities sound incredibly interesting, and grips you by the throat with the force of which he delivers his lines. Constantly questioning his own decisions and motives, Hull’s lyrics keep you hooked, listening for the next honest remark about his childhood or troubled relationships. In the solemn opening track of ‘Deer’, with its honest and revealing lyrical flow, Hull starts out straight away admitting faults of his own a theme that sticks throughout the album. Concept albums are known for being self-indulgent and pretentious, but Andy Hull thrives off the idea of self-obsession, and turns it into something wonderful. Usually, when someone says the words “concept album”, you would be excused for running to the hills, but we won’t let you off this time. ‘Simple Math’ is the third full-length Manchester Orchestra outing, and it is probably their most mature, well-rounded and neatly crafted offering yet. This record is brilliant it really is that simple. So far, so good, then and one comes away feeling that the next step Manchester Orchestra take will be into a new dimension of mainstream recognition.Every track on ‘Simple Math’ is an achievement that Manchester Orchestra should be proud of. But then, it took The National five albums to construct their classic, so time is certainly on this young band’s side. But he’s not consistently complemented by music that really matters, a couple of relatively perfunctory arrangements ensuring that Simple Math is no High Violet-matching masterpiece. Hull is a fine lyricist, able to make everyday ruminations on relationships utterly riveting. Take the title-track, for example, a touching-of-tone affair, with wonderful strings, which delivers the line 'I want to rip your lips off in my mouth' in its opening seconds. There are moments of real beauty, though the prettiest arrangements come complete with necessarily ugly imagery.

And, sure enough, the song is magnificent, words of creation and collapse – 'You built this up in one day, to fall downward and rust…' – delivered with a bite that leaves a permanent mark.

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA SIMPLE MATH TRACKLIST SKIN

Virgin is better still: a children’s choir rises in the mix, and when Hull emerges with plaintive clarity, the skin crackles with anticipation of something special to come. 'I’ve got that rock, and that roll,' he screams, and with such instrumental clout on his side no listener can doubt him. April Fool is one such number, a rollicking alt-rocker that combines meaty riffs with Hull hollering like a cathartic chimera of Conor Oberst and Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock.

But Manchester Orchestra have realised their finest songs to date here, which render what’s around them rather mundane by comparison. It should be stressed, firmly, that nothing here is bad. Over time the tracks gel and a thread can be traced from start to finish but despite thematic cohesion, Simple Math suffers from inconsistent quality control. Granted, Hull writes from the perspective of a fantasy protagonist – this is a concept record, folks – but you might not realise it on the first or second listen. At its heart it’s a tender exploration of losses and uncertainties, weighed down by a plethora of questions posed by lynchpin Andy Hull. The problem with Simple Math, recorded both at home and in Nashville, is that its 10 songs aren’t all of the level needed propel its makers into the biggest indie-rock leagues. But this new set certainly contains songs that are equal to the best efforts of those outstanding bands. Great reviews for their previous two albums proper haven’t yet elevated Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra to the status enjoyed by similar-styled would-be peers like The National and Arcade Fire.

Manchester orchestra simple math tracklist