Manchester Orchestra are overachievers. As if releasing one fantastic album in 2014 and touring it extensively wasn’t enough, the Atlanta-based rockers have decided to release an alternate version of COPE, entitled HOPE, with completely different cuts of all 11 tracks found on their much-praised fourth LP.

With rumors and speculation regarding details swirling for some time now, all of that can be put to rest. HOPE has been released digitally today (surprise!) via Loma Vista, with a vinyl pressing slated for a November 18 release.

As the perfect counterpart to the band’s heaviest release to date, HOPE offers a beautiful, stripped-down affair with more acoustic guitar, string arrangements, piano, and various instrumental nuances that perfectly accent the lyrical content and Andy Hull’s emotive vocal delivery. Some of the tracks even feature lyrical differences as Hull took the time to further explore his narrative structure on COPE and present fresh perspectives for the listener within the tracks’ newfound sonic shifts. “See It Again” is the perfect example of how completely transformed some of COPE‘s offerings have become, as the penultimate cut went from anthemic rock banger to poignant a cappella soother featuring nearly 50 tracks of Hull’s distinctive vocals.

“The lyrics hold a lot more weight on this version, even the same lyrics,” explains Hull. “They’re presented differently so the lyrics hit a little harder. COPE was a guitar record – we wanted a lot and we wanted them loud. This puts an emphasis on my voice and puts it up front. I spent a lot of time making sure my performances were all there in the recording so I could feel confident in the vocal being so present.”

Side by side, COPE and HOPE serve as a tandem powerhouse of rock, on two separate spectrums of the genre, equally as poignant, powerful and memorable in their own respective ways.

In support of the new release, ManO will be hitting the road as of Halloween to play a series of intimate shows that accentuate the more delicate mood of HOPE. You can find those dates below. Pick up a digital copy of HOPE through iTunes or Google Play.

Manchester Orchestra HOPE U.S. tour:
10/31/14 – Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theatre
11/04/14 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
11/06/14 – Tempe, AZ – Mesa Arts Center
11/07/14 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
11/08/14 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
12/03/14 – Chicago, IL – Irish American Heritage Center
12/06/14 – Philadelphia, PA – Temple Performing Arts Center
12/07/14 – New Haven, CT – Center Church on the Green
12/08/14 – Somerville, MA – Arts At The Armory
12/09/14 – Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House
12/11/14 – Charleston, SC – Memminger Auditorium
12/12/14 – Durham, NC – Hayti Heritage Center
12/13/14 – McMinnville, TN – Volcano Room of Cumberland Cavern
**All Dates With Chris Staples

Tickets will be on sale today at 12PM EST through the band’s official website. All ticket purchases will include a digital download of HOPE.

*Band Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee

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Brian Leak

Editor-In-Chief. King of forgetting drinks in the freezer. Pop culture pack rat. X-Phile. LOST apologist.

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