Album Rating: 5.0

Here's the full message for those interested:



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Hello my friends,



I believe this is the first time in my life where I simply can’t find the words. I couldn’t find them then and I can’t find them now. As a writer, that usually means that there are going to be too many. It’s not that it’s hard to explain the range of emotions and life that we’ve experienced since losing our brother Tim. It’s that it feels impossible. So I am asking for grace, as I may ramble and stumble through those words here.



Firstly, thank you to every single person who has reached out and sent their love our way. We were able to privately celebrate our friend in the best way we knew how and that had much to do with so many wonderful people stepping up and helping in many ways. Even the smallest message or a comment has been treasured and appreciated.



I have been in Manchester Orchestra for well over half of my life. I started this band when I was 17. I met Tim the next year at 18 and it was pure love at first sight. At least for me. I wanted to be around this guy as much as I could. And I certainly dreamed of him one day being our drummer. Our band is like that. True lifelong friends who laugh and cry and share life’s hardest moments together. The members of our band are like fabrics sewn into each other. Better together than alone. What I mean is, we didn’t lose our drummer, we lost an integral part of the soul of our band. I think about him, at minimum, a thousand times a day.

Album Rating: 5.0

In early February, Robert and I had just returned from LA where we had been working on finishing the album with producer Jen Decilveo over the course of several weeks. We finally, and I mean FINALLY, had inched the record to a place where we were all genuinely thrilled. Tim had sent a glowing text in our group chat about how he had been able to listen to all the tracks on a drive to and from Athens, GA and was so happy with how it was turning out. He was always so quick to encourage us. He would often use words to put more gas in my tank and inspire me to keep going. To be honest, Tim always had a sixth sense when something was good from the jump. I have a much harder time knowing. I always trusted him when he said “that’s it”. He would certainly tell me ’that ain’t it”. He was right about both almost all of the time.



When we lost Tim, we were just two days away from all four of us convening in a studio cabin in Dahlonega, GA ahead of the wedding of our friend and collaborator Jamie. The four of us were set to gather and put our collective final notes on the new album. That final 5% before we head to mixing and have all said our piece. Obviously, on that awful February day, everything stopped and we’re still quite dizzy as to what direction that first step needs to be. But the more we discussed, the more we settled on one thing. Our brother would be so angry if we didn’t finish this album and release it for the world to hear. He was just so deeply proud of this album, and for good reason. From my biased position, his work on it is unparalleled; clearly his best and if I may say, pretty damn brilliant.

Album Rating: 5.0

So we started to slowly open the files and work towards finishing the record. Which immediately proved to be difficult for quite a while. We all noticed as the shock began to become somewhat normal, while listening and working on this album again, the music gave us joy. So much joy. All four of us cared and worked so hard on this album for so many years and it was like I was able to hear it for the first time. And I loved it. I can’t over express just how relieved we were to hear and experience this in this music. This album will be the finale of a concept trilogy we started with Black Mile, continued with Masks and Valley and plan to conclude here. These albums follow the story of a family over the course of many generations. It has allowed me to peer into the darkest fears of parenthood, childhood, loss, life, marriage and death. Through it all, our intention was never for the end of this story to be hopeless. And man, I was listening to this album and I felt hopeful. To hear our friend doing what only he could do, so incredibly well. All of the full and rich memories of so many powerful moments creating together, I realized just how fortunate we are to have this album. That my friend's lifetime commitment to a craft and work can be appreciated. This connection is why we fell in love with music in the first place. This is why music is so important. For all of its gifts, perhaps the most powerful is how healing and connective it can be both in solitude and in community and in moments of true terror and loss.



In short (ha)… as i’m writing this… last night we wrapped a recording of all six child-star singers from the Hull, Very, and Mcdowell gang to sing a spooky kids choir. They crushed it. These are the final tracks we will record for the album. We finished it.



For the rest of this year, our plan is to begin mixing the 7th Manchester Orchestra album with the genius one, Catherine Marks, in London. On May 29th, I begin a string of my first live performances in quite awhile. As I’ve been rehearsing and planning my set, I’ve been drawn to songs that make me feel comfortable and connected. I'm excited and nervous to share that experience with you and I hope you enjoy the show.

Album Rating: 5.0

As many of you also know, we were fully in the throes of releasing our live in London Union Chapel album. Obviously, it didn't feel correct in any way to continue pushing or promoting that forward at the time. In fact, the more I thought about it, I realized there is never going to be a good time. So I figured the best way to release it is just to give it to you here. A thank you for all of your kind words and love that you've given us and for the support that we are so deeply grateful for. I ask that you bear with us as we figure out how to finish and honor our friend with his final piece of work.



As a final note, as we were studying the year to block off time for mixing, we noticed a wild date in the MO calendar. Somehow, it is the 20 year anniversary of I’m Like a Virgin Losing A Child. This album holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Our first album. The album where Robert went from cig smokin, Red Bull chugging, studio intern into my lifetime musical partner and eventual brother-in-law. So in the spirit of leaning into music to save us, we will be releasing a 20 Year Anniversary Edition of the album with a complete re-recording that the full band has been recording over the last five years. Robert and I will also embark on a very short duo performance tour up the west coast playing that album in full, plus many of the songs from the Union Chapel album. Tour dates for that will be announced soon.



After that, I’m honestly not sure what is next. Right now my plan is to keep taking it a day at a time. Finish this album well. Honor my friend.



All my love, I really mean that



Andy

Album Rating: 5.0

Wow, beautiful statement. Brings a tear to my eye tbh. This band means so much to me, especially this album.

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks for sharing that, Sowing!

This and MMOG are such important albums to me

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah thanks for sharing! Interesting insight and also of course: RIP... Awful to lose someone so close to you so suddenly

Album Rating: 5.0

I love this band so much, man

Album Rating: 5.0

Same here bro.

Album Rating: 5.0

Man this is so sad, I love this band and am grateful to have seen them smash it live loads but knowing that next time they tour will be the last time is gonna suck.

Album Rating: 4.5

Thanks for sharing Sowing. Teared up a few times reading that. Made me think of the Low Roar statement about his friend working on finishing the final album after his death.



Happy to hear they are releasing it, I'm sure its what he'd have wanted after all. Wishing the best for all of the and especially Tim's family.

Album Rating: 2.5

so to be clear this band is neither an orchestra or from manchester. instead they play wussbag indie rock for the unwashed flannel wearing masses of the midwest of america. 0.5/5

Album Rating: 2.5

yes, you may say i am neither pig or let, but you would be mistaken. i do be an ungulate in spirit. it is a travesty that i am not typing these words with ill begotten trotters

Album Rating: 5.0

2.5 is absolutely wild.

Album Rating: 5.0

Damn….thanks for sharing this man