[Listen] Manchester Orchestra - "Cope"

Manchester Orchestra are going to release their new album COPE in a few weeks and in anticipation of that CoS have premiered the title track, and it's absolutely huge. Screeching guitars and a lead riff that will surely tear the roof off many a venue this year make up the track. Andy's vocal range is once again utilised to piece together a perfect roller coaster of a track. Sewing together quiet and loud elements, the song that closes out the band's new album is one hell of a message of what you can expect upon release. 

Set for release on April 1st via Loma Vista Recordings/Favorite Gentlemen, the album was recorded completely in their home studio, built by the band themselves. For me, the album sees the Atlanta band returning to form and delivering a magical piece of their history that will be remembered long after they're gone. Turn it up loud and hit play below.

[Listen] Manchester Orchestra - "Every Stone"

Manchester Orchestra are set to release their follow up to 2011's Simple Math, with Cope, on April 1st. They gave us an explosive first taste of what they'd been cooking up in the studio with "Top Notch" last month. Today we get to enjoy our second bite from the album with a track titled, "Every Stone". It's a little more laid back that the previous cut, but that's not to say it's any less powerful. It builds up into a beautiful crescendo of instrumentation that'll brighten up whatever blues are bogging you down on this cold February afternoon. I'm pretty excited to hear the rest of this album, that's for sure!

The Atlanta band have also released a video for "Top Notch" which you can see below along with another string of UK dates set for later in the year. You can see all their live dates over here.

[Listen] Manchester Orchestra - "Top Notch"

In a year that is going to see some big albums being released, there's a handful that have me acting like a giddy little kid on his birthday. So, with that in mind, it makes me extremely happy to be posting this next bit of news. Manchester Orchestra have just announced a brand new album set for April 1st, and no this is not a joke. Titled, Cope, it seems that the band have gone back to a huge sounding and raw power that they became known for on Mean Everything To Nothing. Their last release, Simple Math, delivered a well rounded, more subtle approach, yet it seems they're going for something a little bigger with the new release. In a recent interview, Andy Hull stated the new record was recorded with them trying to capture their live energy and sound. Lead track "Top Notch" seems to have done just that with punchy and hugely heavier sounding introduction with Andy's signature vocal delivery cutting through the mix like knuckle duster to the face. Upon first hearing this the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. But hey, that's me. Judge for yourselves below and get excited if you like.

You can also grab the download for the cheap price of your email address. Treat yourself.

[Listen] Bad Books - 'II' (Full Album Stream)

If you've been reading SKOA for a while you may know that I am personally a huge Manchester Orchestra fan. A few years ago I was pleasantly surprised to hear Andy Hull had teamed up with Kevin Devine for a side project titled Bad Books. The band is rounded out with the other members of Manchester Orchestra and the result was a melting pot of creativity and influence, and I thoroughly enjoy album one.

They are now set to release album number two simply call, II. It will be released next week on October 9th but you can stream the second album right now via CoS below. The album has a variety of styles and isn't pigeon holed to the style we saw them undertake in "Forest Whitaker" in early August.

[Listen] Bad Books - "Forest Whitaker"

Bad Books, the project between Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine is set to return later this year with a new album, Bad Books II. We were very fond of the projects first release so it'll be interesting to see where this second album leads. Andy has said of the project that it's his "therapeutic outlet". This track starts a little left field and features a whistle melody, electronic video game like guitars and a big fat electric drum beat. See what you make of it after the jump courtesy of Rolling Stone.

Bad Books II is set for release on October the 9th.

[SKOA Presents] The 50 Best Albums Of 2011: 30 - 26

30. Little Dragon - Ritual Union [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

Ritual Union by Little Dragon

29. Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

Gruff Rhys - 'Xenodocheionology' by nmemagazine

28. The Strokes - Angels  [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

27. Astronautalis - This Is Our Science [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

Astronautalis - "Dimitri Mendeleev" (Prod By Alias) by Some Kind of Awesome

26. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

[Listen] Andy Hull - "What Ever Happened?" (The Strokes Cover)

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Manchester Orchestra and it's no secret that anything Andy Hull touches often turns into a melancholic spine tingling piece of music. Here is a prime example, you can see him covering The Strokes' "What Ever Happened" from their 2003 album Room on Fire. Andy lends his delicate guitar work and new and improved vocal range to the cover making it a delight to watch. Check it out for yourselves above.

[News] Manchester Orchestra Announces Fall Tour

Manchester Orchestra are gearing up for their upcoming headlining tour this fall in support of their third album, Simple Math, which was well received over in the SKoA camp. Speaking of thirds, the band is headlining PacSun's third PacTour, which kicks off in Houston, TX on October 21st and closes out on November 22nd in Orlando, FL. The tour will be supported by White Denim, The Dear Hunter and Little Hurricane on select dates, which you can confirm who's playing where in the intinerary below.

Tickets for the tour go on sale to the public next Thursday, September 1st with the pre sale beginning Wednesday, August 24th at 12PM local time exclusively via http://manchesterorchestra.ducatking.com.

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA 2011 TOUR DATES:
 
August 23, 2011 – Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Amphitheater *
September 2, 2011 – Seattle, WA – KNDD Fest
September 4, 2011 – Edmonton, AB – Sonic Boom 2011
September 23, 2011 -- Huntsville, AL – Big Spring Jam
September 24, 2011 -- Atlanta, GA -- Music Midtown
October 2, 2011 – Bristol, UK – Bristol Academy 2 **
October 3, 2011 – Glasgow, UK – Glasgow O2 ABC **
October 4, 2011 – Birmingham, UK – Birmingham HMV Institute Library **
October 5, 2011 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy 2 **
October 7, 2011 – London, UK – London Koko **
October 21, 2011 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live #
October 22, 2011 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s #
October 23, 2011 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom #
October 25, 2011 – Tuscon, AZ – Railto #
October 26, 2011 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues #
October 27, 2011 – Pomona, CA – Glass House #
October 28, 2011 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom #
October 29, 2011 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom #
November 1, 2011 – Magna, UT – Saltair ++
November 2, 2011 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall ##
November 4, 2011 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre ##
November 5, 2011 – Minneapolis, MN – Cabooze ##
November 7, 2011 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues ##
November 8, 2011 – Detroit, MI – Clutch Cargo’s ##
November 9, 2011 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo ##
November 11, 2011 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory ##
November 12, 2011 – Boston, MA – House of Blues ##
November 13, 2011 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theatre ##
November 14, 2011 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ##
November 16, 2011 – Richmond, VA – The National ##
November 17, 2011 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle ##
November 18, 2011 – Charlotte, NC – Amos ##
November 19, 2011 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom ##
November 21, 2011 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution ##
November 22, 2011 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues ##
 
* with BLINK 182 & MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
** with XCERTS
++ with THRICE, WHITE DENIM & THE DEAR HUNTER
# with WHITE DENIM, THE DEAR HUNTER & LITTLE HURRICANE
## with WHITE DENIM & THE DEAR HUNTER