Manning Fireworks
At just 25 years old, with four solo studio albums and three as guitarist for North Carolina band Wednesday under his belt, MJ Lenderman already seems like an all-timer. The vivid, arch songwriting, the swaying between reverence and irreverence for his forebears, steeped in modern culture while still sounding timeless—he evokes the easy comfort of a well-worn favorite and the butterflies of a new relationship with someone who is going to have a massive, rich, and argued-about discography for decades. The songs go down easy but are dark around the edges, with down-home strings and lap steel adorning tales of jerking off into showers and the existential loneliness of a smartwatch. But in a fun way. And just as 2021’s “Knockin” both referenced erstwhile golfer John Daly’s cover of Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and lifted its chorus for good measure, “You Don’t Know the Shape I’m In” honors The Band’s classic while rendering it redundant. But album closer “Bark at the Moon” represents Lenderman’s blending of sad-sack character sketches and meta classic-rock references in its final form: “I’ve never seen the Mona Lisa/I’ve never really left my room/I’ve been up too late with Guitar Hero/Playing ‘Bark at the Moon.’” Then he punctuates the line with an “Awoo/Bark at the moon,” not to the tune of the Ozzy song, but to Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.” Packing that many jokes into half a verse is impressive enough—more so that the impact is even more heartbreaking than it is funny.
The Asheville singer-songwriter’s outstanding fourth album is loaded with zingers and losers. It’s witty and sincere, the mark of a songwriter finding his voice.
MJ Lenderman has produced his clearest vision yet with Manning Fireworks.
On his third solo album ‘Manning Fireworks’, MJ Lenderman develops his voice with scathing character sketches and notes on loneliness
MJ Lenderman's fourth album, 'Manning Fireworks,' is a collection of caricatures ballooned by empathy, bruised egos, and lovable self-destruction.
While nothing is quite so charmingly ramshackle as anything found on Boat Songs, Manning Fireworks is still some of the best indie rock music around.
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Asheville’s MJ Lenderman knows innately what Sir Elton John let us in on some four decades back. Namely, that sad songs say so much.
MJ Lenderman has been a core part of the American indie rock landscape for a decade now. A key member of Wednesday, he’s also spent time with Indigo De
(Featuring possibly his best track yet, the North Carolina guitarist-songwriter goes to the sparse and seamy side on this worthy successor to Boat Songs
Centering MJ Lenderman’s rusty nail guitar work and laidback drawl, ‘Manning Fireworks’ is something of a solitary affair.
On 'Manning Fireworks', MJ Lenderman describes down-and-out characters with his usual witty charm, all while showcasing his exceptional musical abilities.
Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman album review by David Saxum. The simger/songwriter's forthcoming album drops on September 6th via ANTI-
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks review: In which MJ Lenderman is hospitalized for approaching perfection
Fifth album showcases his ability to magic sweetness from sadness and solace from self-pity