With a name like “Manchester Orchestra”, they can be one of two things: an indie alternative hipster band, or an actual orchestra. In this case, we’re looking at an indie, alternative hipster band, which means you probably already know if you like them or not regardless of if you’ve heard their new album or not.
If you haven’t heard their newest album SIMPLE MATH (releasing today), it comes across as an acquired taste, but if you give it a chance, it’s actually pretty good… but that’s only if you give it a chance. The boys of Manchester Orchestra do this thing where they have a song start off boring, slow, and painful, but at about two minutes in, it’s amazing. For example, their headlining hit “Simple Math” does just this: it starts off irritating, but once it hits the 2:30 mark, it’s pretty fantastic.
Songs that break this mold include ‘Pensacola’ and ‘April Fool’. ‘Pensacola’ has hints of a 60’s feel with the unison voices and fast tempo during the verse, and ‘April Fool’ has a bit of a more rock sound, contrasting to the rest of the album.
On the whole, there’s nothing that really makes Manchester Orchestra’s SIMPLE MATH stand out from any other indie alternative hipster band out there. They have their audience already laid out for them, so all they have to do is keep doing what they’re doing, and the fans aren’t going anywhere. (Sony Music) – 2.5/5
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