Manchester Orchestra (photo by Shervin Lainez, PR)

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5.03.21 00h00

Manchester Orchestra
The millions of masks of God
Loma Vista

Why this album is important:
At The millions of masks of God, Manchester Orchestra lead songwriters Andy Hull and Robert McDowell applied a newly revised approach inspired by their experiences writing and recording the soundtrack to the 2016 film, “Swiss Army Man.” This approach consisted of composing cinematic concept albums intended to form a single narrative that had to be listened to in one sitting. Hull and McDowell started to implement this technique on Manchester Orchestra’s latest album, 2017 A black mile to the surface and fully embraced it on this seventh album. More, The millions of masks of God could also be considered an extension of the themes of their last album.

In their own words:
“Yes Black mile was this idea of ​​”from birth to death”, this album would really be more about “from birth to the hereafter”, focusing on the ups and downs of life and exploring what could possibly be. come next ”, says Hull of the album. in the group’s bio.

“[The Million Masks of God] started out very abstract, but as Robert’s dad’s battle with cancer got harder and harder over the past two years, I started to draw parallels in my mind with what I was actually writing, ” explained Hull. “It has become an examination of my own faith. While the story of Robert’s father certainly influenced this album, it is also about confronting me with the reality of adulthood and that there is a expiration date for it all – and how you’re going to live your life knowing that.

“My dad was a musician and our band’s biggest fan,” McDowell says. “And I can’t think of a more flattering way to honor him than to let him exist in an art form he loved so much. It wasn’t shocking to hear what Andy had written; the way he writes, the real life around him will always spread. For me, the story of the album isn’t just about the character’s death, it’s about life. It is unfortunate but inevitable: in life, death happens, and it has always happened. We seek to live with grief, but grief has not killed humanity. We have to zoom out and see it as part of life. “

Strong points:
“Annie” “Bedhead,” “Keel synchronization”, “Let it be taken by storm”, “Telepath”.

Why you will dig the Manchester Orchestra The millions of masks of God
The millions of masks of God is Manchester Orchestra’s most ambitious album and is the result of hard and dedicated work. The Manchester Orchestra combines cinematic and progressive song structures with heartfelt and empowering lyrics. The songs on The millions of masks of God boast great arrangements that propel their exquisite harmonies skyward.

Recommended if you like:
Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Deep Sea Diver, Fleet Foxes, Lord Huron, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket and The Weakerthans.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

– Manchester Orchestra may have been named for the English city, but they are from Atlanta, Georgia. Programming: Hull (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), McDowell (lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Tim Very (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Andy Prince (bass).

– Hull, McDowell, Very and Prince spent a lot of time in 2019 building the songs for this album, the group’s seventh. It was ultimately the most time they spent working on songs before recording them.

– Catherine Marks and Ethan Gruska co-produced the album with Hull and McDowell. Gruska is the son of composer Jay Gruska.

– 2021 marks the fifteenth anniversary of Manchester Orchestra’s debut album, I’m like a virgin losing a child.

Listen to a new “Marquee Live at Home” with Manchester Orchestraof Andy Hull and Robert McDowell this Tuesday, May 4 at 1 p.m. on 90.7, streaming online, and available on demand.