I think another big issue is, given the venues they're trying to fill and the length of time off as a band, they didn't exactly release any radio/mainstream friendly singles for this album. With II, they released Forrest Whitaker, which was a jam and with I, they released Didn't Have to Ask and Don't Move, which were both rock solid songs. Not to say the releases thus far for III haven't been good, but they're definitely not moving the needle for the casual fan of Bad Books, MO or Devine.
Yeah, and I seem to remember “Forest Whitaker” unexpectedly getting a lot of traction. That song got them a lot of attention.
I'm going out on a limb and am gonna say the next Manchester record will attempt to hit those radio jams. They've had their few years of really growing and experimenting and diving into personal things and I think they're ready for that big late career commercial success push. Maybe a little more than Thrice and "Black Honey". At least that's kinda what the new song sounded like. Or I may be completely wrong.
I went ahead and transcribed as much as I could for all songs based off a first few listens on genius in case y'all want to follow along tomorrow. Bad Books - III Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius
Impossible to say. It's a totally different direction. Every song is a soft, beautiful, atmospheric journey into their minds of stories they wanted to tell. Mostly all metaphorical and fictional. Some sociopolitical commentary mixed in. There are no big jams. The entire thing is drumless and heavy guitarless. Expect the tour to be entirely acoustic and for the full band to play the jams at The Stuffing.
I found the leak and its taking everything in me to not hit the download button but I respect these guys way too much. gonna hold out for tomorrow!
Based on the lyrics, I'd imagine, yeah. How he was treated seems like it was inspired by different hate crimes, but the lines about "he chose to be different" makes it seem that its definitely homosexuality. Great song even though it's haunting. Reminds me of Pyotr.
I like all the songs but I cant help but think that these were solo songs they sprinkled a little of extras and called it bad books III. Dont get me wrong, I like all the songs, but II felt like it developed its own unique band sound.
I agree. It really feels a lot more like Bad Books I, where it's Andy song/Kevin song/Andy song/etc. I Wrote It Down For You and Army are the two that don't really feel that way.