Manchester Orchestra - Cope
by Adrian Huggins
published: 8 / 4 / 2014

Label:
Caroline International
Format: CD
intro
Slow-burning, but heartfelt and thoughtful fourth album from the much acclaimed Manchester Orchestra
Manchester Orchestra first came to light in 2004 and very quickly gained notoriety within the music press and music industry. What followed was a blaze of label interest and hype, but the band eventually opted to self-release their material on their own label Favourite Gentlemen Records. Having toured extensively and released three albums, the band have now set about recording and putting out their fourth album again independently and the result is ‘Cope’. Written, recorded and produced in a house the band modified themselves, it is obvious after a couple of listens that a lot of heart and soul gone into this. Upon first listening I can’t say I was totally bowled over by it, especially given the hype that surrounded them first time round, but, however ‘Cope’ is a real grower and any doubts of why this band are so well loved is quickly dismissed as you become more and more attached and immersed in it. The more you listen to it the more the tracks start to settle and linger in your brain. ‘Girl Harbour’ is great example of the raw, emotional honesty that has attracted such praise and admiration for the band in the past. Both it and the beautifully-crafted ‘Indentions’ reminds me or a cross between a cheery Brand New and a meatier and more grounded Far. Choose You’, ‘Top Notch’ and ‘Trees’ show the bands more dramatic and brooding side yet don’t steer the album in a gloomy direction, and ‘The Ocean’ and ‘Every Stone’ have an air of New Found Glory’s more mellow and mature moments but are devoid of the sickly sweetness. Macnhester Orchestra sit comfortably in that bracket of bands that a fairly well known but more importantly are incredibly loved by their fans, and this is due in no small part to lead singer/guitarist Andy Hull’s deep and honest writing style. This heartfelt honesty resonates throughout ‘Cope’, and will no doubt make it intensely meaningful to a lot of people.
Track Listing:-
1 Top Notch2 Choose You
3 Girl Harbor
4 The Mansion
5 The Ocean
6 Every Stone
7 All I Really Wanted
8 Trees
9 Indentions
10 See It Again
11 Cope
12 Cope
13 After the Scripture
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/manchesterorchhttp://themanchesterorchestra.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterOrchestra/
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/CarolineIntlhttps://www.facebook.com/CarolineInternational
http://carolineinternational.com/home
https://plus.google.com/114479089101790071019/posts
https://www.youtube.com/user/CarolineIntl
soundcloud
reviews |
Shake It Out (2009) |
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Excellent latest single from Atlanta-based band Manchester Orchestra, who seem destined for major success |
Mean Everything to Nothing (2009) |
I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child (2007) |
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