Manning Fireworks tells the stories of many fools. The way Lenderman tells them leaves an evil grin on your face.
This is one of those times you’ll savor every ridiculous observation, maybe even laugh out loud because chances are you know some of these jerks. That is to say, MJ Lenderman‘s epic tales of washouts and good-for-nothings Manning Fireworks is comic brilliance, taking some extraordinarily ordinary sad-ass situations and turning them into absolute poetry with the darkest, driest wit at every turn.
KUTX-featured track “She’s Leaving You” feels like a midlife crisis turned into an extended sigh of resignation. This is how things are gonna be from here on out… “You can put your clothes back on / She’s leaving you / No time to apologize for the / Things you do / Go rent a Ferrari / And sing the blues / Believe that Clapton was the second coming…”
Then, there’s the brain leakage of “Wristwatch” with the gadgets and property ownership that are supposed to sound…impressive? “And I’ve got a houseboat docked at the Himbo Dome / And a wristwatch that’s a / Pocket knife and a megaphone / And a wristwatch that tells me / I’m on my own…”
MJ Lenderman & The Wind breeze on through to the ATX with a show Thursday night at Emo’s, 2015 E. Riverside Dr., with NYC rockers Wild Pink opening. Doors at 7 p.m.
