MJ Lenderman, the Asheville, North Carolina-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, has made a name for himself with his ability to craft poignant, heartfelt songs that combine vivid storytelling with an unmistakable musical rawness. His latest album, Manning Fireworks, is a brilliant addition to his growing discography—a collection of tracks that capture the beauty, absurdity, and heartbreak of everyday life with wit, charm, and authenticity.
Building on the foundation of his previous work, Manning Fireworks expands Lenderman’s sonic palette while retaining the loose, DIY spirit that has endeared him to fans. With its blend of alt-country twang, fuzzy indie rock, and introspective folk, the album feels timeless yet deeply personal. It’s a record that rewards close listening, full of lyrical gems and musical textures that stick with you long after the last note fades.
Opening with a Bang
The album begins with “Big Sky Dreams,” a song that immediately sets the tone for the record. Opening with a jangly guitar riff and a laid-back rhythm section, the track feels like a long drive through rural America, windows down and radio up. Lenderman’s voice, unpolished but full of character, delivers lines like “Every star’s a little different, but they all burn out the same.” It’s a lyric that captures the album’s central themes of fleeting beauty and impermanence.
From the start, it’s clear that Manning Fireworks is a deeply reflective album, one that finds Lenderman grappling with big questions about life, love, and identity. Yet, even in its heaviest moments, there’s an undercurrent of humor and humanity that keeps the record from feeling overly weighty.
Lyrical Brilliance: Poetry in the Mundane
Lenderman has a gift for finding poetry in the mundane, turning everyday scenes into vivid vignettes that resonate on a universal level. On “High School Gym,” he paints a picture of small-town life with aching nostalgia, singing about school dances, basketball games, and the passage of time. Lines like “The trophies gather dust, but the stories never fade” showcase his ability to balance sentimentality with keen observation.
The title track, “Manning Fireworks,” is another lyrical standout. Inspired by a roadside fireworks stand Lenderman passed on a cross-country trip, the song uses the metaphor of fireworks to explore the fleeting nature of happiness and the longing for something more. With its slow-burning tempo and haunting pedal steel, the track feels both melancholic and hopeful—a perfect encapsulation of the album’s emotional complexity.
A Sonic Evolution
While Manning Fireworks stays true to the lo-fi, alt-country aesthetic that Lenderman is known for, it also shows him pushing his sound in new and exciting directions. The album is rich with sonic experimentation, from the distorted guitars of “Wrong Side of Town” to the lush harmonies and layered instrumentation on “Rusty Chains.”
“Concrete Waves” is a prime example of this evolution. With its swirling reverb, ethereal keyboards, and dynamic shifts, the track feels like a departure from Lenderman’s earlier work, yet it fits seamlessly within the album’s narrative. His vocal delivery, raw and full of emotion, ties the song’s disparate elements together, creating one of the record’s most captivating moments.
At the same time, Lenderman never loses sight of his roots. Tracks like “Pinewood Derby” and “Riverbed Blues” lean heavily into his alt-country influences, with twangy guitars, earthy lyrics, and a sense of unvarnished honesty that feels refreshingly real.
Themes of Longing and Resilience
Manning Fireworks is an album steeped in longing—longing for connection, for clarity, for meaning in a chaotic world. Yet, it’s also a record about resilience and finding beauty in imperfection.
“Late Night Drive” captures this duality perfectly. Over a driving beat and shimmering guitars, Lenderman sings about the solace of solitude and the open road, delivering lines like “I don’t need a destination, just the sound of tires on the pavement.” The song feels like an anthem for anyone who’s ever found peace in the act of moving forward, even when the destination is unclear.
Similarly, “Hand-Me-Down Heart” is a deeply introspective track that explores themes of self-doubt and acceptance. With its sparse arrangement and vulnerable lyrics, the song feels like a late-night confession, raw and unfiltered. Yet, there’s a quiet strength in Lenderman’s delivery that suggests hope and determination.
Moments of Levity and Connection
One of the most endearing aspects of Manning Fireworks is its sense of humor. Even in its most serious moments, the album never takes itself too seriously, finding joy and absurdity in life’s little quirks.
“Barbecue and Baseball” is a prime example of this. A rollicking, upbeat track with a singalong chorus, the song celebrates the simple pleasures of summer afternoons and backyard gatherings. It’s a reminder that, amidst the chaos of life, there’s always room for laughter and connection.
“Local Legends,” meanwhile, is a tongue-in-cheek ode to small-town characters and the myths they create. With its playful lyrics and infectious energy, the song adds a sense of levity to the album while highlighting Lenderman’s knack for storytelling.
Production That Matches the Spirit
The production on Manning Fireworks perfectly complements its themes and aesthetic. Co-produced by Lenderman and longtime collaborator John Silas, the album strikes a balance between polish and grit, capturing the raw energy of live performances while adding subtle touches that enhance its emotional impact.
The use of pedal steel and slide guitar throughout the album adds a dreamy, wistful quality to the songs, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation without overpowering the arrangements. The mixing is warm and organic, allowing every instrument to breathe and every lyric to be heard.
Standout Tracks
While every track on Manning Fireworks has its own charm, a few deserve special mention:
- “Rusty Chains”: A haunting ballad with a slow build and a cathartic climax, this track showcases Lenderman’s ability to convey deep emotion through both his lyrics and instrumentation.
- “Wrong Side of Town”: With its driving rhythm and biting lyrics, this track captures the frustration and defiance of feeling out of place.
- “Late Night Drive”: An atmospheric anthem that perfectly captures the album’s themes of longing and resilience.
A Poignant Finale
The album closes with “Goodnight Parade,” a tender, acoustic track that feels like a lullaby for the weary. With its sparse arrangement and heartfelt lyrics, the song brings the album full circle, ending on a note of quiet reflection.
As Lenderman sings, “Even fireworks fade, but the stars still remain,” it’s hard not to feel a sense of closure and hope. It’s a fitting end to an album that finds beauty in impermanence and meaning in the everyday.
Final Thoughts
MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks is a triumph of storytelling and songwriting—a record that captures the essence of Americana while carving out its own unique identity. With its blend of heartfelt lyrics, dynamic instrumentation, and unvarnished honesty, the album feels like a companion for life’s highs and lows, offering solace, laughter, and a sense of connection.
For fans of alt-country, indie rock, and anyone who appreciates music that speaks to the soul, Manning Fireworks is a must-listen. It’s a record that demands to be played on long drives, quiet nights, and lazy Sunday mornings—a timeless reminder that, even in life’s simplest moments, there’s magic to be found.
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