Most wonÔÇÖt have ever given much thought to the simple word ÔÇÿcopeÔÇÖ. Manchester Orchestra have. ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ explores every avenue of meaning it possesses, the simple power of one word best epitomised by the succinct branding of this album. Always lyrically strong, AtlantaÔÇÖs finest have stepped up their game with this album finalising a journey of struggles with life, death and everything in-between spanning four studio albums in the simple realisation that all we can really do, is cope.
While one glance at the acoustic sets in ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖÔÇÖs accompanying video series ÔÇÿMagic MomentsÔÇÖ is enough to prove that frontman Andy Hull’s lyrics are no less heartfelt than 2011ÔÇÖs ÔÇÿSimple MathÔÇÖ the sound is worlds apart. With ÔÇÿSimple MathÔÇÖ Manchester Orchestra clearly targeted the heart with a subdued, delicate sound – this year they pick us up of the floor, relentlessly beat us over the head with unyielding rock anthems and spit us out, gasping for more. This an album from a Manchester Orchestra that know what they want, and what they want is to belt out everything theyÔÇÖve got with an aggression greater than that of any previous outing. ┬áA brave move from a band whoÔÇÖs most popular tracks are on the quieter side of their range, but one that absolutely doesnÔÇÖt disappoint.
While sophomore album ÔÇÿMean Everything To NothingÔÇÖ was no stranger to a shout and a thrash of a guitar, it never quite cut loose like ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ. Out of nowhere, opener ÔÇÿTop NotchÔÇÖ announces its presence with a powerful blast of dirty chords, letting up only briefly for synth ridden interludes in ÔÇÿGirl HarborÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿIndentionsÔÇÖ. ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ races on towards its swelling and dissipating title-track closer, ending the album as abruptly and powerfully as it begun.
Recorded in a studio built by the band themselves, free of time constraints and input from producers or labels, ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ is the most quint-essentially Manchester Orchestra album to date. Improving with every listen, Hulls self-identified gap in the modern rock scene reflects a perfect understanding between all involved that this is a black and white rock album but still somehow manages to provide so much more. A fantastic effort from a band that quite simply can do no wrong.