MJ Lenderman
Manning Fireworks
ANTI- [2024]
Album Overview: MJ Lenderman, whose full name is Mark Jacob Lenderman, hails from Asheville, North Carolina, and grew up in a musically inclined family. His early influences came from Guitar Hero and artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Smashing Pumpkins. He began recording music in his youth, inspired by the lo-fi works of My Morning Jacket. Over the years, Lenderman has emerged as a key figure in the indie rock scene, both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Wednesday. Manning Fireworks is his fourth full-length release and continues his evolution from the breakout success of 2022’s Boat Songs. Manning Fireworks showcases a significant leap in Lenderman’s songwriting and emotional range. Recorded at Drop of Sun in Asheville, the album reflects the tension between personal introspection and external pressures. While his wry humor remains, the lyrics dive deeper into self-reflection, personal flaws, and life’s uncertainties. The sound is raw, mixing elements of rock, blues, and folk, with moments of vulnerability balanced by sharp observations on life and culture. Lenderman’s ability to weave wit into his stories of existential struggles makes this record a standout. Manning Fireworks is a timeless record, one that sounds great today and will continue to do so 10 years from now. Lenderman’s low-key, almost slackerish delivery is infectious, making you root for him on every track. Manning Fireworks stands as his best release to date.
Musical Style: The album blends gritty indie rock with Southern-tinged guitar work, incorporating both electric and acoustic elements. The guitars oscillate between clean melodies and jagged solos, offering a contrast of introspection and aggression. Influences of Southern rock, punk, and Americana give the album a multifaceted feel. While the production retains a lo-fi edge, the execution is more refined than his earlier efforts, capturing a balance between rawness and clarity.
Evolution of Sound: Compared to Boat Songs, Manning Fireworks represents a more polished approach, with fuller instrumentation and layered production. Lenderman’s guitar work is more prominent and dynamic, and his songwriting leans into more earnest themes, moving away from some of the playful detachment found in previous albums. The emotional weight of the album feels heavier, with greater attention to lyrical complexity and musical nuance. Lenderman pushes his sound beyond the bedroom recordings of his past, aiming for a more complete and immersive experience.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of R.E.M. and Drive-By Truckers will find echoes of their melodic sensibilities here along with plenty of Southern rock influences. There’s also a familiarity with the distorted, emotive guitar work of Neil Young’s Crazy Horse era. Lenderman’s ability to merge gritty rock with introspective storytelling shares a kinship with artists like Pavement, Kurt Vile and Built to Spill.
Pivotal Tracks: Several tracks on Manning Fireworks serve as defining moments for the album. “Joker Lips” captures the tension between humor and vulnerability, blending sharp wit with a deeper sense of isolation. “She’s Leaving You” offers a poignant anthem of youthful rebellion, where family disillusionment is laid bare with a mix of raw emotion and sensitivity. It prominently features Wednesday singer Karly Hartzman and ends masterfully with her isolated vocals on the chorus. The energetic “On My Knees” channels frustration and defiance through its high-octane performance, providing a standout moment of cathartic release with grinding guitar solos. “Wristwatch” stands out for its introspective exploration of pride and self-doubt, grappling with themes of forsaken priorities and unresolved inner conflict. Finally, the closing track, “Bark at the Moon,” brings the album to a fitting conclusion with a seven-minute guitar jam that drifts off into the distance, feeling like a powerful exhalation, encapsulating the restless spirit of the record.
Lyrical Strength: Lenderman’s lyrics strike a balance between wit and self-reflection, turning everyday experiences into vivid scenes. His knack for embedding deeper meaning into humorous or offbeat lines gives the songs a dual-layered impact. Whether addressing personal insecurities or the absurdities of life, his words carry emotional resonance, making the listener feel both connected and unsettled. He navigates complex emotions like self-doubt, disillusionment, and melancholy, while retaining an accessibility that invites reflection.
MJ LENDERMAN REVIEW HISTORY
And The Wind (Live And Loose!) (2023) / Boat Songs (2022)
MJ LENDERMAN LINKS
Official Website | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | ANTI-
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