When fall comes there’s a sense of melancholy in the air.
Leaves are falling off the trees, the docks are brought back in, and the impending cold months can’t leave your mind. MJ Lenderman’s new album Manning Fireworks feels like an appropriate soundtrack.
This is Lenderman’s fourth studio album and his third album to come out in the last three years. Lenderman found his voice with his last album Boat Songs, bringing critical acclaim, and as a member of Wednesday, which found success with last year’s Rat Saw God. He even appeared on Waxahatchee’s beloved Tiger’s Blood earlier this year.
On his latest album he’s embraced the country twang he flirted with on Boat Songs. And while there are no songs about sport icons like Michael Jordan or Dan Marino, keen listeners will hear Bob Dylan and Quiet Riot(!) references peppered into the songs. The lyrics are still clever, but there’s a tinge of a despondent atmosphere.
This album feels like the morning after a night of heavy drinking. You know you got in a huge argument with your partner the night before and can’t even remember what was said but you know it wasn’t good. However, you’ve got a delicious breakfast sandwich in front of you and while it isn’t going to solve all your problems in life, it’s going to be so good that you’ll forget about them until that last bite. Manning Fireworks is that breakfast sandwich.
It really feels like Lenderman has tapped into his true sound on this album: the mix of rock and country, and the stories of unsavory people who can’t help but make bad decisions.
The standout track is “She’s Leaving You,” which captures that feeling of losing someone because you couldn’t get out of your own way and has you wondering how they stuck around this long. It’s heartbreaking stuff, but you’ll find yourself singing along by the end of the song.
Lenderman brings to mind artists like Warren Zevon, David Berman and Jason Molina. The music sounds good, but the lyrics invite you to experience something deeper. It’s a world where even the most mundane experiences can bring out some universal truths. Are any of us “good” people? Maybe not. But at least we have the music.
Must listens
- Joker Lips
- Rudolph
- Wristwatch
- She’s Leaving You
- Rip Torn
- You Don’t Know the Shape I’m In
