Bad Books, "Bad Books" 10/25/2010
By Brendan Harte Gilsenan
✭✭✭✭
Atlanta band Manchester Orchestra caught the attention of the alternative rock world with their sophomore album, 2008’s Mean Everything to Nothing. Their success has been propelled by the undeniable songwriting talent of front man Andy Hull. In 2007, singer-songwriter Kevin Devine opened for Manchester Orchestra, and a seed was planted for what would eventually grow to be Bad Books.
Having played alongside each other for the past several years since then, Hull and Devine decided it time to finally record an album together. The two called upon the remaining members of Manchester Orchestra to help flesh out their sound.
Although this super group of sorts is overloaded with members of Hull’s main project, Bad Books delivers a sound of its own. Having each written five songs on the album, Hull and Devine split lead vocal duties. Together the two have produced a high quality indie folk rock album.
This debut splits time between fuzzed-up lo-fi indie rockers and stripped down folk tunes. Lead single “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” offers a crunchy pop sound that is new territory for both Hull and Devine. Clocking in at under two minutes it gets to the chorus quickly and serves its purpose well as a short but sweet catchy number.
Others such as “Holding Down The Laughter” and “Please Move” are the more uptempo of the bunch. “Laughter”’s lack of an actually chorus is heavily overshadowed by its strong pop melody. It is a worthy contender for best song on the album.
Burying their softer side, the band’s “Please Move” is the hardest rocking track on Bad Books. It, more than any of the others, is evidence of Manchester Orchestra’s involvement with the record. The palm-muted verses create a tension that builds in the pre-chorus, and finally resolves with Hull and Devine shouting away in the chorus.
Nearly half of the album is comprised of stripped down acoustic recordings. The open space in these tracks gives room for the listener to focus on the words being recited. Hull and Devine each have a great knack for imagery in their songs, and these slower numbers showcase that. “Mesa, AZ” and “Texas” are well worth the listen, though won’t get stuck in your head.
But a lot of times folk songs are not about the memorable melodies, but rather the sentimental meaning in the lyrics and delivery. Either Hull or Devine singing to a lonesome guitar, these tracks are more personal and offer an intimate connection to the music.
In the final seconds of the album Hull’s scratchy voice whispers, “I am a towel that is soaked to the core, heavier now than it’s gotten before. And something inside of me needs more and more, sooner than later, never no more.”
For a pair of men who find time to write and record a stellar album amidst heavy involvement with both main projects and touring upwards of 300 days out of the year, this seems a very fitting way to close an album that was created out of the sole ambition to make more music.
1. How This All Ends
2. The Easy Mark & the Old Maid
3. Baby Shoes
4. You’re a Mirror I Cannot Avoid
5. Holding Down The Laughter
6. You Wouldn’t Have To Ask
7. I Begged You Everything
8. Please Move
9. Mesa, AZ
10. Texas
✭✭✭✭
Atlanta band Manchester Orchestra caught the attention of the alternative rock world with their sophomore album, 2008’s Mean Everything to Nothing. Their success has been propelled by the undeniable songwriting talent of front man Andy Hull. In 2007, singer-songwriter Kevin Devine opened for Manchester Orchestra, and a seed was planted for what would eventually grow to be Bad Books.
Having played alongside each other for the past several years since then, Hull and Devine decided it time to finally record an album together. The two called upon the remaining members of Manchester Orchestra to help flesh out their sound.
Although this super group of sorts is overloaded with members of Hull’s main project, Bad Books delivers a sound of its own. Having each written five songs on the album, Hull and Devine split lead vocal duties. Together the two have produced a high quality indie folk rock album.
This debut splits time between fuzzed-up lo-fi indie rockers and stripped down folk tunes. Lead single “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” offers a crunchy pop sound that is new territory for both Hull and Devine. Clocking in at under two minutes it gets to the chorus quickly and serves its purpose well as a short but sweet catchy number.
Others such as “Holding Down The Laughter” and “Please Move” are the more uptempo of the bunch. “Laughter”’s lack of an actually chorus is heavily overshadowed by its strong pop melody. It is a worthy contender for best song on the album.
Burying their softer side, the band’s “Please Move” is the hardest rocking track on Bad Books. It, more than any of the others, is evidence of Manchester Orchestra’s involvement with the record. The palm-muted verses create a tension that builds in the pre-chorus, and finally resolves with Hull and Devine shouting away in the chorus.
Nearly half of the album is comprised of stripped down acoustic recordings. The open space in these tracks gives room for the listener to focus on the words being recited. Hull and Devine each have a great knack for imagery in their songs, and these slower numbers showcase that. “Mesa, AZ” and “Texas” are well worth the listen, though won’t get stuck in your head.
But a lot of times folk songs are not about the memorable melodies, but rather the sentimental meaning in the lyrics and delivery. Either Hull or Devine singing to a lonesome guitar, these tracks are more personal and offer an intimate connection to the music.
In the final seconds of the album Hull’s scratchy voice whispers, “I am a towel that is soaked to the core, heavier now than it’s gotten before. And something inside of me needs more and more, sooner than later, never no more.”
For a pair of men who find time to write and record a stellar album amidst heavy involvement with both main projects and touring upwards of 300 days out of the year, this seems a very fitting way to close an album that was created out of the sole ambition to make more music.
1. How This All Ends
2. The Easy Mark & the Old Maid
3. Baby Shoes
4. You’re a Mirror I Cannot Avoid
5. Holding Down The Laughter
6. You Wouldn’t Have To Ask
7. I Begged You Everything
8. Please Move
9. Mesa, AZ
10. Texas
