#12 Album of 2014, COPE by Manchester Orchestra

My love for all things Bad Books and Kevin Devine are well documented on this blog...  one part of the Bad Books is composed of members that perform in a band called Manchester Orchestra.

I listened to a number of tracks off of Cope in advance of the album coming out and I wasn't quite sure what to make of it really... 

The album sorta drips with a specific sound.  A loud, crunchy, guitar power chord buffet that reminded me of Jimmy Eat World's BLEED AMERICAN...

It wasn't until I caught them live that I realized this album and more importantly the sound within is more like a very focused Built to Spill record.   I've listened to this album a number of different ways... at home on my turntable, in my car while driving, live in concert and mainly on headphones.

The album kinda captured a specific window of time for me in early 2014 and I think that's why I look back on it so fondly.  The band later went on to re-record this album in an acoustic setting and released it as HOPE.

That release felt a little self indulgent... despite having beautiful re-arrangements.  If I re-numbered my top 20 this afternoon, I think this would have slipped a number of slots.

Recommended tracks:

COPE.jpg

COPE - Manchester Orchestra live at Emo's 4/22/14

When I heard that Kevin Devine and the Manchester Orchestra were going to tour together in the spring, I plunked down money in early February to assure my attendance for the show.

As the date approached, my excitement had sorta tempered a little bit and that had a lot to do with a disappointing show I caught earlier this year when I saw Against Me! perform in San Antonio.

I never penned a proper write up for the Against Me show because it genuinely bummed me the fuck out....  the more and more I think about it, I think I'm going to revisit that night again and work out the issues I had with the show.

Drove out to Austin and before visiting the new (well, new to me) Emo's location, I decided to spend some time at End of An Ear.  I didn't get a chance to visit on record store day and I always find great stuff in the racks.   

I got a text from a friend of mine asking where I was in the crowd...  I informed her I was still across town getting records.  She then broke the news to me that Kevin Devine performed first.  They altered the line up order and Balance and Composure played 2nd.

I seriously considered skipping out on the Manchester Orchestra show all together.  I opted to go however because I wanted to hear a number of the songs live.

I'm insanely happy that I did, because it was one of the best performances I've seen in a while.  It actually reminded me a lot of seeing Built to Spill circa 2000.   The band has 4 albums worth of material that they play through and the crowd was incredibly supportive of them.  The band was in top notch form and they had an incredible light show to accompany the performance.  If you get a chance to see them on this tour or in the Fall, make it a point to do so.

Manchester Orchestra - Cope

Picked up my copy of Manchester Orchestra's latest offering "Cope" over lunch today.  I've listened to it about 3 times and I can safely say that it's a recommended buy for those of you who are familiar with this band or the band Bad Books.

I'm sorta struggling with whom to compare this band to...  there's a ground swell of indie acts right now and Manchester Orchestra are on the end that is releasing thoughtful and beautifully produced albums.

I read this morning that the album Cope was recorded in the city of Atlanta in a house that the band members used to live in at some point.  They sound proofed the place and made it a recording studio.  I don't know what it costs to do that in 2014...  I'm pretty sure it isn't as cost prohibitive as it once was, but what I'm trying to get at is that bands typically produce some really memorable material when they decide to hole themselves up in a unique space to record music.

There's a very specific sound and tone to this record...  If you don't care for the opening track "Top Notch" - you can pretty much turn your back on this record.   The album leans incredibly forward on whatever guitar fuzz pedal they've decided to leave on for the entire record.   It sorta reminds me of the sound that's on the Weezer GREEN album and Jimmy Eat Worlds - Bleed American.   Not the "fuzz" but there's a very specific tone to those records and they pretty much take their cue from the opening tracks.

I'm looking insanely forward to seeing them play live in Austin in 2 weeks...  

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Cope
Producer: Dan Hannon, Manchester Orchestra
Label: Loma Vista Recordings, Favorite Gentlemen, Republic Records
Recorded: In a House In Atlanta 

Bad Books - II

The embossed gold lettering really pops in person

The embossed gold lettering really pops in person

Opted to select something familiar this morning...  in addition to making breaky, I need to spruce up the place for a potential pre-drink with friends at the apartment before going to Roxy's.  It's nice to have something on in the background while getting a number of things done.

Discovered the band Bad Books thru a band (The Front Bottoms) that opened up for them at a show in Austin last February.  The Bad Books are made up from members of the Manchester Orchestra and singer/songwriter Kevin Devine.

I purchased a limited edition pressing of the album that was produced in the form of a bound book...  the production value of it is pretty amazing.  Each page is filled with lyrics and notes about every song on the album.

The music on the record is also very rewarding.  I would their describe their sound as equal parts power-pop and folk.  Especially rewarding for those who want to connect with music for the head & heart.

Stand Out Tracks:  You really can't go wrong with anything on the record...  the latter half of the album is softer than the first.

Artist: Bad Books
Album: II 
Producer: Andy Hull, Kevin Devine and Robert Mcdowell
Label: Favorite Gentlemen / Triple Crown Records
Recorded: Favorite Gentlemen Studios