Manning Fireworks. MJ Lenderman

MJ Lenderman is a busy musician. With Manning Fireworks he releases his fifth album, of which one live, plays in Wednesday with whom he has released some great records. That is what I know him from, so this is my first solo album. On first listen, I was still a bit sceptical. I had heard this kind of music so many times before. Something made me come back and the quarter dropped quite soon. MJ Lenderman is my new Neil Young. Manning Fireworks is the right mix between 'On The Beach' and 'American Stars 'n' Bars'.

Of course, this is an unfair comparison, but there's merit in my comment. I will leave it there, as Manning Fireworks deserves its own story. Lenderman presents a very rich album to us, with surprising sounds, while delving in the mine of musical history. Mostly you will find songs with an alternative country angle in the mid-tempo range. Either in an acoustic setting or an electric one. The two flavours blend very well on the album.

The album opens with a very traditional folk song. Lenderman plays his acoustic guitar and sings. Slowly other instruments come in, while the tempo drags itself along, as if a heavy weight is keeping it from keeping up with the real tempo. Lenderman lengthens his singing notes adding to the effect. The violin gives it an eerie mood, while the electric guitar solo, darkly distorted seems more like a circular saw attempting to cut the title song in two. What started as a soft folk tune, ends in something totally different.

What follows are in a way country (rock) songs that follow the book. Looked at it from a superficial angle that is. Lenderman plays his new songs in an incredible loose way. As if the musicians are sitting on a porch on a warm summer evening in the U.S.'s south, beating the humidity and playing off each other. There's no hurry, no stress, nothing, just playing. A few times inspiration for something louder strikes, forcing the band to go inside. Until the end, where Lenderman lets his guitar feedback and all to let 'Bark At The Moon' play until exactly 10 minutes.

If this range in music is your thing, Manning Fireworks is your album. You will be presented with exactly the kind of music you expect. Your personal taste will determine how good this music is to you. For me MJ Lenderman delivers alright.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

You can listen to and order Manning Fireworks here:

https://mjlenderman.bandcamp.com/album/manning-fireworks