MJ Lenderman is a songwriter born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. The anatomy of an MJ record might go something like this: warped pedal steels and skuzzed out guitar; crackin' a cold one with some buds; a voice reminiscent of the high- lonesome warble of a choirboy. Songs snake their way from a lo- f home recording to something glossier made with longtime friends at Asheville's Drop of Sun studios, but the recording setting doesn't seem to matter much - at its core, a Lenderman song rings true.
Manning Fireworks is a remarkable development in MJ Lenderman's story as an incredibly incisive singer- songwriter, ; whose propensity for humor always points to some uneasy, disorienting darkness. The punchlines are still here, as are the rusted-wire guitar solos that have made Lenderman a favorite for indie rock fans looking for an emerging guitar hero. There's a new sincerity, too, as Lenderman lets listeners clearly see the world through his warped lens.
Tracks: Manning Fireworks / Joker Lips / Rudolph / Wristwatch / She's Leaving You / Rip Torn / You Don't Know The Shape I'm In / On My Knees / Bark At The Moon
