Rock is such a broad genre these days that it has become a requisite for bands to make up genres to describe their particular sound. it seems to be that bands cannot just simply be ‘rock’ any more. It has to be clashed with this and mixed with that. There are some bands though who are happy to simply be a rock band. Bands such as Manchester Orchestra.
Manchester Orchestra’s fourth album Cope comes three years after it’s predecessor Simple Math. During that time the band went through a personnel change, with original bassist Jonathan Corley leaving to be replaced with Andy Prince. Cope was actually recorded in it’s entirety in the bands recently built home studio.
Cope’s opening track “Top Notch” is three and a bit minutes of exactly what’s been missing from the rock scene – pure, undiluted kick ass. There is no pretence, no quiet acoustic breakdown, no lengthy build up; It’s what it is and that’s that. And it’s brilliant. It’s crushing rock and roll topped with Andy Hull’s recognizable emotive howls. Manchester Orchestra have truly gone back to basics with Cope and it’s so refreshing, especially on tracks such as “Choose You” and “Girl Harbor”, both following the simple mechanic of verse-chorus-verse and it’s so effective. “The Ocean” swings and slides it’s way to one of the album’s biggest choruses, and boy does it inspire.
“Trees” shows the band at their utmost loudest, with the song seldom giving you chance to breathe. Luckily, following track “Indentions” is a slower, calmer affair. At least until the second half of the track when it follows suit with the rest of Cope and provides a slice of unadulterated rock music. The title track closes the album and is a fitting way to do so, with the band saving their loudest and rawest for last. Many bands would have opted for a stock ballad here, but not Manchester Orchestra, the band choosing to sign off with two minutes of pounding, crashing drums and wailing guitars.
One of Manchester Orchestra’s biggest compliments is that they are a solid powerful band. Previous releases have all been expansive and Manchester Orchestra have proved their worth with their ability to write different kinds of songs. Cope is completely and utterly a rock record from front to back and is such a marvellous collection of songs. With Cope, Manchester Orchestra have affirmed themselves as one of America’s finest modern rock bands. There’s no punches pulled here or necessity for anything other than rock music in it’s purest form. Cope is a delight to listen to and anyone in need of a straightforward, no nonsense rock record should look no further.
Rating: 4/5