MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
Rock – Released September 6, 2024 – 9 songs, 38 mins
ROZ
TSR has been eating real good lately, as can be seen from the string of acclaimed scores we’ve dished out this past month. This week’s artist, Asheville, North Carolina native MJ Lenderman, is no stranger to us here at Too Sweet Reviews due in part to his role in the band Wednesday; a band that received high praise by us last year and who’s music landed on multiple ‘Year End’ lists for both album and song. History shows us that just because an artist finds success and acclaim within a group, it doesn’t guarantee the same for a solo venture by that same individual. For every Beyonce or Sting there is a Dee Dee Ramones, and we all know my thoughts on that. So, the question is: which side of the coin will MJ’s Manning Fireworks end up landing on?
Make no mistake, this is not some impulse or short-sighted break-off by a sour bandmate into the solo world – in fact, quite the opposite. MJ has had success in this sphere over the five solo albums that he has released since becoming active in 2018. On top of that, he still remains viable player and touring member of Wednesday, even after a real-life break-up this past summer with Wednesday front-woman Karly Hartzman. While the sigh the relief I had when finding that all was well on that front felt great to let out, it soon brought me back to my current plight: my ability to disassociate this man from one of the best indie rock bands currently active. Luckily, after one singular listen, my mind was put at ease.
Manning Fireworks is a masterclass in the fundamentals. MJ isn’t attempting to re-invent the wheel in either song structure nor in sonics; a verse leads to a chorus which breaks into a guitar solo around the back half, again and again and again. He follows such a traditional template, yet the ‘who gives a shit’ attitude he carries completely combats any feelings of apprehension. If he doesn’t give a shit, then why should we? Along with the general tone he sets, from front to back MJ’s songwriting is superb. Almost every character that he writes about is having a terrible time, either through their own actions or just through the unfairness that life can throw at literally anyone. Hypocritical religious zealots (Manning Fireworks, Rudolph), raging alcoholics (Joker Lips, Rip Torn), womanizing degenerates (She’s Leaving You), depressed rich celebrities (Wristwatch, Bark at the Moon), MJ scrapes out the bottom of the barrel and effortlessly whips the contents into an assortment of catchy rock ballads. It leaves me to wonder if all of this is a product of his creative mind or perhaps something a little deeper – a sort of self-deprecating look at his own self in some kind of way. No matter what’s real and what’s not, it nonetheless makes for some damn good storytelling and world-building.
Electric guitars, with their myriad of warbling audio effects, combined with violin and drum arrangements cement these scenes within your head. Slow, somber strumming couples with a crackling yet airy vocal performance by MJ throughout. It’s the kind of sound that would fit upon a big festival stage as much as it would fit within a dark and dingy corner of some southern state watering hole that reeks of cigarette smoke and stale beer. On the guitar, MJ really shines – solos on Rudolph and She’s Leaving You are done with the technical precision of a player who’s been playing their whole life. The melodics and harmonies crafted by the man bring about that lovely feel-good sensation inside your brain while the tight, 38-minute runtime makes it simply too easy to come back for another taste.
I had the honour of beginning my Manning Fireworks listening experience in perhaps one of the best environments you could think of for an album like this. I flew down to New York City earlier that day, jumped in my rental, hit play on track one and began my drive up and through the New York state countryside, adventuring through the unknown to a friends wedding located in the town of Poughkeepsie. On this journey, I passed through several small quaint towns that were chalk-full of American history and oozing with unbridled patriotism; American flags on every door, hanging tributary banners for war veterans on every light pole, old fashioned taverns on every corner – you couldn’t absorb more Americana in one sitting if you tried. Akin to that experience, this album proves that small-town heart and real-world authenticity is still alive and well on the rock music scene. From the bluesy melodics to the shredding solos, MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks is one of the best album experiences I’ve had this year.
Overall Rating: 8.6/10
Favourite Song: She’s Leaving You
LUNDI
Welcome to Lundi’s musical man crush week at TSR. At this given moment I wouldn’t stop short of saying this week’s artist is my current favourite musician. Everything he touches turns to gold. Writer and lead guitarist for 2023’s Album of the Year Rat Saw God from Wednesday, guitarist and vocalist for 2024 contender in Tiger’s Blood from Waxahatchee, and now his highly anticipated solo record Manning Fireworks is here, and honestly it just might top them both. Yours truly is certainly not the only one hyping MJ Lenderman and for good reason. The kid just has it. No hyperbole, rock legend in the making.
Manning Fireworks immediately grabs you with Lenderman’s southern twang vocal. On his predecessor Boat Songs, the fuzzy production sat that charm back in line with the guitars and with Wednesday and Waxatachee his backing vocals never quite get the spotlight, but with Manning’s more polished sound you get a front and centre vocal that’s captivating, raw and certainly unique. Make no mistake his delivery is an acquired taste but so were a couple of his major influences in Neil Young and Bob Dylan, a couple of guys you may have heard of. If rock continues its resurgence, my money is on that comparison growing in stature with MJ being the inspiration of the future generation, like Young and Dylan were to many singer songwriters of today. He’s just that good and Manning Fireworks proves it in spades.
Lenderman really begins to shine when you start to dissect his songwriting. His lyrics channel a mixture of late night nonsense with the boys, classic rock references, introspective self deprecating thoughts, and keenly woven comedic lyricism on society at a whole. He wears both his heart and influences on his sleeve which produces lyrical magic. You just want to kick your feet up with a cold beer and bask in the glory of the album. Track after track, spin after spin Fireworks is delightfully infectious.
Incredibly we haven’t even broken down the album highlight yet as the star amongst stars is the song arrangements. Free wheeling, easy, and sleek. Lenderman’s understanding of what to add and when to add it turns a collection of simplistic single guitar notes into complex arranged rock songs. Like a trained chef who needs no recipe, Lenderman cooks up tracks with musical feel. A pinch of riff here, a dash of pedal effect there, mix in a solo for flare. Reading the menu, you’d never have thought of it, but god damn it’s good. The musical vision is uncanny and I’m already intently craving his next project.
Believe the hype. We are witnessing the ascension of the next great singer songwriter in rock. Impeccable guitar feel twinned with superb lyricism, MJ Lenderman is a musical prodigy. Manning Fireworks has it all, and more.
Overall Rating: 8.6/10
Favourite Track: Wristwatch
REID
It’s been a long time coming for MJ Lenderman and TSR. His name has often frequented the group chat since last year’s standout album, Rat Saw God, from his band Wednesday. The return to his solo aspirations was up next and the expectations have never been higher with a couple of solid records already under his belt. Lenderman has all the skill in the world and the North Carolina native is killing it at 25 years young. His last few years have been ripe with experience and his fifth solo studio effort, Manning Fireworks, is his opportunity to show continued growth.
The transition of styles was considerable from last week’s catchy and upbeat synthpop collection about being the best version of yourself by Magdalena Bay, to MJ’s alt-country, slacker rock. He’s recognized for his songs of a despondent nature and Manning Fireworks follows that trend. This year has most assuredly been difficult for him as he and former girlfriend and lead singer of Wednesday, Karly Hartzman, went their separate ways. Perhaps their meteoric rise presented challenges they couldn’t overcome. Either way, don’t let Lenderman’s wry delivery fool you to thinking this album is not filled with real emotion.
His songwriting has the uncanny ability of drawing you into the misfortunes and dejected views of the protagonist. ‘It falls apart, we all got work to do’ he sings on the first single, She’s Leaving You, summarizing a relationship’s failure due to demanding professional lives. On the titular track, he jokes ‘Once a perfect little baby, Who’s now a jerk’ to describe a fading, miserable existence. He even takes a stab at a presumed happy part of life, vacation, on On My Knees, ‘Cause I know goin’ on vacation brings the worst out of everyone’. In all three cases, he was able to say so much with so little. The nine, nine and twelve words respectively could each tell a story of their own. The same can be said for my favourite track, Wristwatch. He sings a tale of love loss and loneliness. He may have a ‘beach home up in Buffalo’, a ‘houseboat docked at the Himbo dome’ or a smartphone doubling as ‘a compass and a cell phone’, but at the end of the day he’s on his own. The widespread sentiment is of sympathy but there’s a deeper meaning of material vs. immaterial possessions and wealth for the listener to chew on. He’s a clever, gifted artist.
MJ’s songs of self-deprecation, misery and outright existential dread is accentuated to perfection with his somber vocal and alt-rock sonic delivery. The wiry riffs and licks of his signature guitar is complimented with bass and steel guitars, drums, piano and clarinet. He’s not shy to break off into an emphatic guitar solo either but only when the mood is right. Vocal harmonies from Karly are another more-than-welcome contribution. There are countless high points to enjoy throughout, especially the four-song run of Joker Lips, Rudolph, Wristwatch and She’s Leaving You; up there with the best of 2024.
MJ Lenderman has carved out a place for himself in the rock landscape and continues his rise to stardom with Manning Fireworks. His trademark bluesy alt-rock sound paired with melancholy vocals over sarcastic and thought-provoking lyrics is on full display.
Overall Rating: 8.2/10
Favourite Song: Wristwatch