Simple Math: Difference between revisions

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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Simple Math

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| recorded = August–December 2010

| venue =

| studio = *[[Blackbird Studio|Blackbird]] (Nashville, Tennessee)

| studio = {{hlist|Blackbird Studios, [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville, TN]]|<br />Favorite Gentlemen, [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|GA]]|<br />Eldest Only Recordings, Atlanta, GA}}

*Favorite Gentlemen (Atlanta, Georgia)

*Eldest Only (Atlanta, Georgia)

| genre = {{hlist|[[Indie rock]]|[[post-hardcore]]|[[symphonic rock]]}}

| length = {{Duration|m=45|s=05}}

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| single1date = February 28, 2011<ref name="AltPress Single">{{cite magazine

|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/download_manchester_orchestras_new_single_simple_math/

|title=Download Manchester Orchestra’sOrchestra's new single "Simple Math"

|magazine=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]

|author= Karan, Tim|date=28 February 2011

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}}

'''''Simple Math''''' is the third [[studio album]] from [[Atlanta]]-based [[indie rock]] band [[Manchester Orchestra]]. It was released on May 10, 2011, through the [[independent label]] Favorite Gentlemen Recordings, itself distributed by [[Sony Music Entertainment]].<ref name="FavGen">{{cite web|url=http://favoritegentlemen.com/2011/01/26/manchester-orchestra-simple-math-release-date/|title=Manchester Orchestra ‘Simple'Simple Math’Math' Release Date|publisher=Favorite Gentleman|author= |date=|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Amazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004T8IPNS|title=Simple Math: Manchester Orchestra|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|author= |date=|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref> The album was recorded with [[Dan Hannon]], who also produced the band's [[I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child|first album]], and co-produced [[Mean Everything to Nothing|their second]].<ref name="discogs">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Dan+Hannon|title=Dan Hannon Discography|publisher=[[Discogs]]|author= |date=|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>

[[Andy Hull]], the band's lyricist and vocalist, has said that ''Simple Math'' is a [[concept album]], telling a story from his own perspective;: "It's a story about a 23-year -old who questions everything from marriage to love to religion to sex. Sometimes even for myself, it’s difficult to decipher which one I’m actually talking to. Everything I’ve written in the past has been about those things. This album is the most realized form of my questioning."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/01/manchester-orchestra-announce-new-album.html|title=Manchester Orchestra Announces New Album, ''Simple Math''|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|author= Spicer, Nathan|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref> A week prior to its official release, the entire album was available for [[streaming media|streaming]] on their official website.<ref name="AltPress Stream">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/manchester_orchestra_stream_upcoming_album_simple_math/|title=Manchester Orchestra to stream upcoming album, "Simple Math"|magazine=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]|author= Karan, Tim|date=2 May 2011|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>

Led by the title track and [[lead single|single]] "Simple Math"," the album was a success for the band, obtaining praise from music critics and debuting at a career-high number twenty -one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number eight on the [[Hard Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Rock Albums]] chart with opening week sales of 18,000 units.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664106/adele-21-billboard.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521043006/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664106/adele-21-billboard.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2011|title=Adele Takes #1 On Billboard Albums Chart For Eighth Week|publisher=[[MTV]]|author= Kaufman, Gill|date=18 May 2011|accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="BB">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=manchester orchestra|chart=all}}|title=Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Commercial performance===

''Simple Math'' was a moderate commercial success for the band. Opening week sales reached 18,000 units according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]] which debuted the album at number eight on the [[Hard Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Rock Albums]] chart and number twenty one on the main [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="MTV"/><ref name="BB"/> The album also entered the [[Hard Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Alternative Albums]] chart at number five as well as the [[Hard Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Tastemaker Albums]] chart at number nine. The Tastemaker chart is not decided by record sales, but compiled by ranking new albums based on "an influential panel of indie stores and small regional chains."<ref>{{cite webmagazine| last = Binkert| first = Lisa| title = Bruno Mars Live: Billboard Tastemakers| workmagazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/953194/bruno-mars-live-billboard-tastemakers-video| date = 23 October 2010| accessdate = 22 December 2010}}</ref> Overall, this marked an improvement compared to its predecessor ''[[Mean Everything to Nothing]]'' (2009), which reached number thirty seven on the main ''Billboard'' chart and number eleven on the Rock Albums chart.<ref name="BB2">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=manchester orchestra|chart=all}}|title=Mean Everything to Nothing - Manchester Orchestra|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref> In Canada, the album reached a peak of number fourteen on the Alternative Albums chart and also number seventy eight on the main [[Canadian Albums Chart|Top 100 Albums Chart]].<ref name="Canada"/>

===Critical response===

{{AlbumMusic ratings

| ADM = 6.2/10<ref name="AnyDecentMusic?">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/3026/Manchester-Orchestra-Simple-Math.aspx|title=''Simple Math'' by Manchester Orchestra reviews|publisher=[[AnyDecentMusic?]]|accessdate=8 May 2016}}</ref>

| MC = 73/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/simple-math/critic-reviews#|title=Critic Reviews for ''Simple Math'' by Manchester Orchestra|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=11 May 2011}}</ref>

<!-- Reviewers {{!}} NO MORE THAN 10 REVIEWS-->

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| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''

| rev9Score = 7/10<ref name="Spin">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/manchester-orchestra-simple-math-favorite-gentlemencolumbia|title=Manchester Orchestra 'Simple Math'. ''Mega-convos with God, spouse over fuzz, strings''|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|author= Menconi, David|date=23 April 2011|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>

| rev10 = [[Sputnikmusic]]

| rev10Score = 3.5/5<ref name="Sputnik">{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/43380/Manchester-Orchestra-Simple-Math/|title=Manchester Orchestra: Simple Math|website=[[Sputnikmusic]]|author= Wolfe, Matt|date=9 May 2011|accessdate=11 May 2011}}</ref>

}}

''Simple Math'' received positive reviews from [[music critic]]s upon release. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a [[weighted mean|weighted average]] of 73, based on sixteen reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="Metacritic"/> Adam Pfleider of [[AbsolutePunk]] called the album a "shocking absorption" and awarded a near-perfect rating of 95%. He noted that, "in a year that's produced an overwhelming amount of great music, ''Simple Math'' is another outstanding painting worth the public's attention. When Hull sings "Believe me, all is brilliant," it really is once again for this band."<ref name="AP"/> [[BBC Music]] journalist Mike Diver also gave a favorable review. Despite stating that, "its 10 songs aren’t all of the level needed to propel its makers into the biggest indie-rock leagues", he was of the opinion that ''Simple Math'', "contains some of their finest songs yet. There are moments of real beauty, though the prettiest arrangements come complete with necessarily ugly imagery."<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zmj9|title=Atlanta band’sband's third album of melancholic musings contains some of their finest songs yet|publisher=[[BBC Music]]|author= Diver, Mike|date=5 May 2011|accessdate=7 May 2011}}</ref> [[Drowned in Sound]] critic Robert Cooked wrote, "What’s great about Manchester Orchestra is that they don’t quite fit into a box. Sadly, this makes them another one of those bands that don’t sell as many records as they deserve to." Awarding a score of seven out of ten, he added that the album is an "intelligent slab of thrilling, stadium-sized rock that does away with the genre’s dumb clichés. It’s hard not to get a kick out of hearing such an independent spirit raging through this album, even if commercially, ''Simple Math'' doesn’t quite add up."<ref name="DiS"/>

Ben Patashnik of ''[[Rock Sound]]'' magazine gave the album nine out of ten in his review. He claimed that, "they're always a breath away from total fucking chaos or lullaby-soft crooning. And throughout, the highs are tinged with a sadness and the lows with hope, making ''Simple Math'' a complex and rewarding album that soars above the pack."<ref name="RS"/> In a review for ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', David Menconi said that [[Andy Hull]] had "been making shockingly precocious records for years. But his band's third full-length is an old-fashioned magnum opus of a concept album, detailing a nervous breakdown with epic glam-rock gestures. Hull's greatest skill is making his emotions sound as extravagant as they feel, especially when he screams."<ref name="Spin"/> Adam Knott, a contributing writer for [[Sputnikmusic]] awarded the album a "superb" 4.5/5. He opined that "although situated largely in the seemingly mundane where its predecessor concerned itself (perhaps excessively) with abstract universalities, ''Simple Math'' might actually be the superior record. Its centrepiece, as with ''Mean Everything To Nothing'''s "I Can Feel A Hot One", is the most explicit illustration of the band's overflowing emotion, but the same level and intensity of fire can be found even on its most flippant tracks."<ref name="Sputnik"/>

== Track listing ==

{{Track listing

{{Tracklist

| all_writing = [[Andy Hull]] <ref>{{Citecite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?fromrow=1&torow=25&keyname=HULL%20JOHN%20ANDREW&querytype=WriterID&keyid=1020199&page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&affiliation=BMI&cae=497222923 |title=BMI Entry |access-date=2014-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118210618/http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?fromrow=1&torow=25&keyname=HULL%20JOHN%20ANDREW&querytype=WriterID&keyid=1020199&page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&affiliation=BMI&cae=497222923 |archive-date=2016-01-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

| title1 = Deer

| length1 = 3:18

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;'''Manchester Orchestra'''

*[[Andy Hull]] — [[lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboard]], [[lyrics]]

*[[Gobotron|Robert McDowell]] — [[lead guitar]], [[backing vocals]]

*Jonathan Corley — [[bass guitar|bass]], backing vocals

*Christopher Freeman — [[percussion]], [[Hammond B3|organ]], [[piano]], [[synthesizer]], backing vocals

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! style="text-align:center;"|Peak <br />position

|-

|Canada [[Canadian Albums Chart|Albums Chart]] (''Billboard'')<ref name="Canada">{{cite web|title=Canadian Top 100 Albums Week Ending 12 May 2011|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|publisher=[[Nielson SoundScan]] ([[Jam!|Jam! Showbiz]])|archiveurlarchive-url=https://wwwarchive.webcitation.orgtoday/20041226005640/5z7n7Lulx?url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|archivedateurl-status=1usurped|archive-date=December June26, 20112004|url-statuspublisher=dead[[Nielson SoundScan]] ([[Jam!|Jam! Showbiz]])|access-date=19 May 2011}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center;"|78

|-

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===Background===

Produced by Gaetano Crupi, Jr. of Machina Pictures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://machinapictures.com/ |title=Machina Pictures |publisher=Machina Pictures |date= |accessdate=2011-09-10}}</ref> the project fell under the auspices of the "interchangeable" California-based directing team known as the [[Daniels (directors)|DANIELS]]—Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://www.danieldaniel.us/WORK.html/ DANIELS] {{webarchive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814152931/http://www.danieldaniel.us/WORK.html/ |url-status=dead|title=work|archive-date=August 14, 2011August 2011}}</ref> The duo was previously best known for music videos for the bands [[FM Belfast]] (“Underwear”) and [[The Hundred in the Hands]] (“Commotion” and “Pigeons”), as well as the viral video, “Dogboarding.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.danieldaniel.us/WORK/Dogboarding.html |title=/ Dogboarding |publisher=Danieldaniel.us |date= |accessdate=2011-09-10}}</ref> See [[Production Team]] and [[Casting (performing arts)|Cast]] information below.

In a recent online interview, Hull describes the video's conception and M.O. In it, he expresses his preliminary meeting with The DANIELS (one of whom he discovered to be a fan), as well as his initial amused confusion at the video's thematic thrust.

“...It was kind of incredible filming it, having no idea what these dudes were doing...just having full trust in them…At the beginning, I feel like you get this vibe that the dad’s kind of an a------, and by the end you realize I’m the a------. My dad’s been there the whole time. I was just too young to see it...”<ref name="spinner">{{cite web|url=http://www.spinner.com/2011/04/20/manchester-orchestra-simple-math/|title=Manchester Orchestra’sOrchestra's Andy Hull Relives His ‘Tough’'Tough' Marriage on ‘Simple'Simple Math’Math'|publisher=[[Spinner (website)|Spinner]]|author=Cameron Matthews |date=20 April 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>

===Production Team and Cast===

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*Directors — Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (DANIELS)

*Producer — Gaetano Crupi, Jr.

*[[Production Company]] — PrettyBird

*[[Executive Producer]] — Candice Ouaknine

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===Video Premiere and Reception===

The [[music video]] was released and premiered on [[IFC (U.S. TV channel)|IFC.com]] on Tuesday, 12 April 2011.<ref name="IFC News">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/news/2011/04/manchester-orchestra.php|title=Premiere: Manchester Orchestra "Simple Math"|publisher=[[IFC (U.S. TV channel)|IFC]]|author=Melissa Locker |date=12 April 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref> The cinematic [[prestidigitation]] of the Kwan-Scheinert team, as well as the haunting, wistful music of the band, received praise:

“...Brilliant, awesome, stupendous, tour de force...they are all massively overused phrases...But then, very occasionally, something comes along which fully justifies these descriptions, and a few more. The video for Manchester Orchestra’s ‘Simple Math” by [The] Daniels is one of those occasions...”<ref name="Promo News">{{cite web|url=http://www.promonews.tv/2011/04/15/manchester-orchestras-simple-math-by-daniels/|title=Manchester Orchestra’sOrchestra's Simple Math by Daniels|publisher=David Knight|author= |date=15 April 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>

“...The clip is both exorbitant and overtly dramatic—plus it looks like it cost a mint to create, which it very well might have since the band is on [[Columbia Records]] — but it's money well spent...”<ref name="Blogtown">{{cite news|url=http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2011/04/13/manchester-orchestra-simple-math-video|title=Manchester Orchestra – "Simple Math" Video|newspaper=[[The Portland Mercury]]|author=Ezra Ace Caraeff|date=13 April 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>

“...With...‘Simple Math,’ they have created their best work yet, and easily the best music video I’ve seen thus far in 2011. This video has already garnered heaps of praise as well as comparisons to works of [[Michel Gondry]] and [[Christopher Nolan]] for its technically incredible, emotionally powerful storytelling...Manchester Orchestra's muscular post-[[emo]] indie rock provides just the right amount of emotional punch to accompany the stunning imagery. This is one you'll want to watch again and again...” <ref name="Music for Kids Who Can’t Read Good">{{cite web|url=http://musicforants.com/blog/?p=6829|title=Video: Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math|publisher=|author= Taylor Johnston|date=19 April 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011|archive-date=3 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703051422/http://musicforants.com/blog/?p=6829|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"...DANIELS haven't just made a brilliant music video, they've made an impressive short film, and when paired with Manchester Orchestra's raw, cacophonous punch, it makes for an intriguing, intelligent, incredible accompaniment."<ref name="Escape Into Life">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapeintolife.com/music-videos/music-video-simple-math-by-manchester-orchestra/|title=Music Video: Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra|publisher=|author= Luke Grundy|date=15 June 2011|accessdate=15 August 2011}}</ref>

===MTV Video Music Awards (VMA's)===

On 20 July 2011, it was announced that the music video was a Finalist for two [[MTV Video Music Awards]] (VMA’s), taking its place under the categories of “Best [[Special effects|Special Effects]]” and “Best [[Editing]].”<ref name="MTV Video Music Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667615/2011-video-music-awards-nominees.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724224811/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667615/2011-video-music-awards-nominees.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2011|title=Katy Perry, Adele, Kanye West Lead VMA Nominees|publisher=MTV|author= Gil Kaufman|date=20 July 2011|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref> At the ceremony in [[Los Angeles]], the video lost out to “E.T.” ([[Katy Perry]]/Kanye West) and “Rolling in the Deep” ([[Adele]]), respectively.

===UK Music Video Awards (MVA's)===

On 18 October 2011, “Simple Math” also made the “Shortlist” as a finalist for the 4th Annual [[UK Music Video Awards]] (MVA's) “Best Indie/Rock Video – International.”

On Tuesday, 8 November 2011, it was announced at the gala ceremony (held in [[Westminster]] at [[The Empire, Leister Square]]) that the video had won both the Indie/Rock award and “Video of the Year”.<ref>({{cite web |url=http://www.ukmva.com/content/winners {{Webarchive|title= Winners|website=www.ukmva.com |archive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/65Xs0vF2a?url=web/20120219044307/http://www.ukmva.com/content/winners |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-02-18 19}})</ref><ref>({{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWgDTpaIlHc) |title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2022-06-15}}</ref> Daniel and Daniel accepted.

===Ciclope—International Advertising Craft Festival===

Listed as the “only international festival focused on the advertising film production industry,” Ciclope takes place each year in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]]. The 2011 festival ran from 14 – 16 November; winners were announced on 18 November.

In the “Video Clip” category, the “Simple Math” video took two honors: a Grand Prix and a Gold Award for PrettyBird, the production company.<ref>([http://ciclopefestival.com/en/wp-content/files_mf/ganadoresciclope201191.pdf) Ciclope] {{dead link|date=January 2024}}</ref>

===19th Annual Plus Camerimage===

On 6 December 2011, it was announced the video had racked up yet another award, taking “Best Music Video” (“Najlepszy Wideoklip”) at the 19th Annual [[Plus Camerimage]], the “International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography” held each year in [[Bydgoszcz]], [[Poland]].<ref>({{cite web |url=http://www.pluscamerimage.pl/pc2010.php?dzial=3454 {{Webarchive|title= Plus Camerimage - PC 2012|website=www.pluscamerimage.pl |archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20120907104818/http://www.pluscamerimage.pl/pc2010.php?dzial=3454 |archive-date=2012-09-07 }})</ref><ref>([http://www.promonews.tv/2011/12/06/plus-camerimage-2011-du-and-manchester-orchestra-win-music-video-honours/) Music video honours] promonews.tv {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412133013/http://www.promonews.tv/2011/12/06/plus-camerimage-2011-du-and-manchester-orchestra-win-music-video-honours/ |date=2012-04-12 }}</ref>

===D&AD Awards===

When the [[D&AD]] winners for 2012 were announced at the [[IMAX]] in [[Waterloo, London]] on 19 April, “Simple Math” had received yet another award, the Yellow Pencil for “Special Effects in a Music Video.”<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2012/categories/musv/music-videos | title=D&AD Awards 2022 }}</ref>

The D&AD, formerly the British Design and Art Direction, Awards were created “to celebrate creative communication and raise standards within their industry.”<ref>({{cite web|url=http://www.dandad.org/dandad/about/the-backstory) |title=About D&AD &#124; Global Association for Creative Advertising & Design Awards &#124; D&AD |publisher=Dandad.org |date= |accessdate=2022-06-15}}</ref> The organization represents the global creative, design, and advertising communities and celebrates brilliance in commercial creativity.

===Vimeo Music Festival===

On 8 June 2012, “Simple Math” took home another honor for The Daniels, winning the “Music Video” category at the awards ceremony held in [[New York City]].<ref>({{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/awards/winners/musicvideo) |title=Home - Vimeo Festival & Awards |publisher=Vimeo.com |date= |accessdate=2022-06-15}}</ref>

Said one release, “…This year, the Awards received 14,567 entries from 147 countries around the world. [[Vimeo]] will make grants of $5,000 to each of the 13 category winners...”.<ref>([http://www.9and10news.com/story/18734776/winners-of-the-2012-vimeo-awards-revealed-in-new-york-city) Winners of the 2012 Vimeo awards revealed in New York City] 9and10news.com {{dead link|date=January 2024}}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist|2Reflist}}

{{Manchester Orchestra}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2011 albums]]

[[Category:Concept2010s concept albums]]

[[Category:Manchester Orchestra albums]]

[[Category:Albums produced by Dan Hannon]]