The Manic Street Preachers Thread

[Tubbs Tattsyrup]

So the Manics have a new album out May 7 - it's leaked on the Internet, and I reckon it's pretty dang good. Standout tracks would be the title track, Autumnsong, I Am Just A Patsy and The Second Great Depression.

Anyone else heard this or even care? They're a great band and are unparalleled at creating intelligent rock anthems.

[tapehead]

I've been wondering if Baz Luhrman will use their song 'Australia' for his upcoming movie...'Australia' (guess where it's being filmed).
Like a lot of Ritchie-era Manics, and some of their more recent stuff - will be checking this out and checking back here (intermittently checking my watch and quite possibly checking mah self befo' I wreck mah self uhuhuhuh).

[Silent Shout]

As of right now, I'm slightly let down by it. Feels like a step backwards after Lifeblood. I need to listen to it more, hopefully I'll come around.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

As of right now, I'm slightly let down by it. Feels like a step backwards after Lifeblood. I need to listen to it more, hopefully I'll come around.

As one of the biggest Manics fans in the UK, I have to disagree and say it's the band getting back to the glory days of EMG - I love the new album

[Fried Gold]

This can become the Manics catch-all thread...


Richey Edwards has now been officially declared dead, with courts putting the legal stamp on it.

I'm guessing the Manics have known this was imminent for a time now, as it was only a couple of weeks ago that they were talking about it "being the right time" to use old Richey lyrics for their new album.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

As soon as I read an article in the paper over the change in the legal status of Richey Edwards, I knew that the Manics must have been aware of the family going ahead with this. It's sad that this day had to come, but in a situation like Richey's disappearance there can never be any real or meaningfull closure for the Edwards family or the Manics themselves. This change in his status, then, at least gives the family the opportunity to have some kind of closure, no matter how small.

As for the new record....well, I'm a devoted Manics fan of over 10 years and despite Know Your Enemy and Life Blood being let downs, their last album was excellent and I'm really looking forward to the new one. Will be interesting to hear which of the 'unusuable' lyrics Edwards left behind they use for the new songs. Sean always maintained that it was random and gibberish, which is why they never used any of them. I think they just wanted to wait until they felt comfortable enough to explore the material.

The new record will likely be more of an art piece than a traditional record - they're not planning to release any singles and they've said it's unlikely they will tour the record (though they've not made their minds up on this apparently). Richey was a hit and miss writer, in my opinion. Sometimes he wrote lyrics that were utter genius. Other time his words sounded like a 16 year old let loose on a Thesaurus. Hopefully we'll get more of the former with the new album. Roll on April - want me some new Manics

*sticks 'New Art Riot' on and leaps about the place enthusiastically*

[Sir Shit Stain Sr.]

It is all too sad that Richey Edwards appears to have committed suicide. We feared this would be so. He wrote The Holy Bible. It is one of the darkest rock albums recorded and written and performed. This proves my point, king of nowhere. You talk like a smug person, a moron.

[King Of Nowhere]

It is all too sad that Richey Edwards appears to have committed suicide. We feared this would be so. He wrote The Holy Bible. It is one of the darkest rock albums recorded and written and performed. This proves my point, king of nowhere. You talk like a smug person, a moron.

Richey's disappearance has no sway on your "point".

Also, easy on the insults.

[Sir Shit Stain Sr.]

It is physical proof, my dear. You have insulted me. You were the first.

[King Of Nowhere]

It is physical proof, my dear. You have insulted me. You were the first.

It has no proof.

Provide a copy of Richey's postmortem.
Else, end this.

[Sir Shit Stain Sr.]

It is physical proof, my dear. You have insulted me. You were the first.

It has no proof.

Provide a copy of Richey's postmortem.
Else, end this.

No sir. YOU provide me a copy of Richey's postmortem that says that there is no link to his death and his music, or any proof that there isn't a link of suicide of any musical artist to their music. You can't. You are in over your head.

[havocSchultz]

It is physical proof, my dear. You have insulted me. You were the first.

It has no proof.

Provide a copy of Richey's postmortem.
Else, end this.

No sir. YOU provide me a copy of Richey's postmortem that says that there is no link to his death and his music, or any proof that there isn't a link of suicide of any musical artist to their music. You can't. You are in over your head.

Did the coroner open him up and find a guitar inside him or something...?

[King Of Nowhere]

It is physical proof, my dear. You have insulted me. You were the first.

It has no proof.

Provide a copy of Richey's postmortem.
Else, end this.

No sir. YOU provide me a copy of Richey's postmortem that says that there is no link to his death and his music, or any proof that there isn't a link of suicide of any musical artist to their music. You can't. You are in over your head.

Richey's postmortem is non-existent.
Thus, you're flame bait & shall be treated like such until you mellow out or get banned.
Whichever comes first, can't say I'll be bothered.
Although I do feel slightly sorry for the people who you are teaching.

[Scottys potty]

No. I am a man of debate an civilised talk. You sir, are a person who is trying to bait and trap and therefore should be treated by contempt by me. You also cannot disprove that this poor man's death wasn't a suicide. So if you cannot call someone out on something, then you shouldn't be prepared to be called out on disproving the other party's theory either. As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

[King Of Nowhere]

No. I am a man of debate an civilised talk. You sir, are a person who is trying to bait and trap and therefore should be treated by contempt by me. You also cannot disprove that this poor man's death wasn't a suicide.

Can you prove that he's dead?

So if you cannot call someone out on something, then you shouldn't be prepared to be called out on disproving the other party's theory either. As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

blah, blah, blah, flame bait, blah.

[havocSchultz]

As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

Show me the post mortem that says there was no guitar found inside of him...

And yeah, I'm going to give you my phone number...
You go grab a pen and some paper and meet me back here in 10 minutes...
M'kay...?

[Scottys potty]

No. I am a man of debate an civilised talk. You sir, are a person who is trying to bait and trap and therefore should be treated by contempt by me. You also cannot disprove that this poor man's death wasn't a suicide.

Can you prove that he's dead?

So if you cannot call someone out on something, then you shouldn't be prepared to be called out on disproving the other party's theory either. As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

blah, blah, blah, flame bait, blah.

Pupils say that to me when they lose an argument with me.

Can you also show me a postmortem that shows that there was evidence of guitar there? This would be interesting.

[King Of Nowhere]

No. I am a man of debate an civilised talk. You sir, are a person who is trying to bait and trap and therefore should be treated by contempt by me. You also cannot disprove that this poor man's death wasn't a suicide.

Can you prove that he's dead?

So if you cannot call someone out on something, then you shouldn't be prepared to be called out on disproving the other party's theory either. As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

blah, blah, blah, flame bait, blah.

Pupils say that to me when they lose an argument with me.

Can you also show me a postmortem that shows that there was evidence of guitar there? This would be interesting.

I never said there was a guitar there.
I never said he was dead either.

[havocSchultz]

You can live with a guitar inside of you...

I have a post mortem as proof...

[Scottys potty]

No. I am a man of debate an civilised talk. You sir, are a person who is trying to bait and trap and therefore should be treated by contempt by me. You also cannot disprove that this poor man's death wasn't a suicide.

Can you prove that he's dead?

So if you cannot call someone out on something, then you shouldn't be prepared to be called out on disproving the other party's theory either. As to the post above yours. No. There was no evidence of anything of such a material in his stomach. If you prefer to discuss this outside of here, we can do so more by text or phone.

blah, blah, blah, flame bait, blah.

Pupils say that to me when they lose an argument with me.

Can you also show me a postmortem that shows that there was evidence of guitar there? This would be interesting.

I never said there was a guitar there.
I never said he was dead either.

You didn't need to.

[Seppuku]

Can you also show me a postmortem that shows that there was evidence of guitar there? This would be interesting.

'fraid I lost Issue 253 of Postmortems Monthly, featuring the innards of Tutankhamun, Marilyn Monroe, Richey Edwards (or at least they claim it's him), Lenin and a special feature entitled: How We Found Out What Hitler Ate For Lunch Even Though He's Just a Pile of Ashes.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

Oh for fuck's sake!! Has this twat invaded the Manics thread now too?? Somebody show this guy the door, please!!

Better yet, read the words in my signature Scotty's Potty or whatever you're called.

[BuckyO'harre]

It's been ten days since his last visit, so maybe we're rid of him.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

It's been ten days since his last visit, so maybe we're rid of him.

I hope so Buck.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

Finally, some news on the new record from last month's Mojo magazine...

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

FULL DETAILS FOR NEW ALBUM AND SHORT TOUR



Tracklisting
1. Peeled Apples
2. Jackie Collins Existential Question Time
3. Me and Stephen Hawking
4. This Joke Sport Severed
5. Journal For Plague Lovers
6. She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach
7. Facing Page: Top Left
8. Marlon J.D.
9. Doors Closing Slowly
10. All Is Vanity
11. Pretension/Repulsion
12. Virginia State Epileptic Colony
13. William’s Last Words

Live Dates

May
Mon 25th - Barrowlands, Glasgow
Tue 26th - Venue Cymru Arena, Llandudno
Thu 28th - Camden Roundhouse, London
Fri 29th - Camden Roundhouse, London
Sat 30th - Camden Roundhouse, London

June
Mon 1st - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
Tue 2nd - Dome, Brighton
Thu 4th - Olympia, Dublin
Sat 6th - Ulster Hall, Belfast

I shall be attending the Wolverhampton Civic Hall gig myself. I am so fucking excited now for this record!!!

[King Of Nowhere]

Ugh, i refuse to travel for more than 2 hours just to see a band.
Seen them about ten years ago though, they were pretty good.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

Heard the first track off the new album on Radio 1 tonight - fucking excellent.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Albini produced it? I'll have to give it a listen then.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

Albini produced it? I'll have to give it a listen then.

Albini has done an excellent job. The guitars really have room to breathe, similar to what he did with the last Wedding Present album. The drums sound fucking amazing! If I had to give an example as to the sound, I'd say In Utero by Nirvana. Has the quality Albini production. Great tune, crazy lyrics courtesy of the absent Mr Edwards. Great to hear his bizzare fragmented poetry again.

[jofussunshyne]

I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't but like. (Just statements he made about Johnny Cash that were in bad taste a few years ago in a magazine, and then some stuff he said about Nirvana.) Also, I don't know if anyone else notices, but he does the exact same pose in a lot of his pictures. When they recieved the God Like Genuises in NME award, all of his pictures were the same lol,

Nicky Wire is just a cool motherfucker though, he inspires me for just being himself.

I saw them supporting the Foo Fighters in City of Manchester Stadium in May last year, they were surprisingly half decent; although they were obviously upstaged by Grohl & even by Futureheads. Their version of Rihannas Umbrella is stellar live, particuarly listening in the pissing down rain lol

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

I must admit, I love to hate them.

You and me, we're done professionally.

EDIT: Picked up my ticket for the Wolverhampton gig this morning

[King Of Nowhere]

I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't but like.

It's all about separating the art from the artist though.

It's not like when we buy the album, we're buying into their ideals, lifestyle choice, political stance etc.

That sounds kinda strange, seeing as the manics are quite a political group.
But if that's why you got into the band, you probably had that kinda stance before discovering their music anyway.

I was talking to someone in the pub about morrisey & when i brought up the fact that he's an asshole, the other guy said something like "well we all are at times."

So that pretty much sums my stance up.

[jofussunshyne]

I understand whole-heartedly. Sting, Bono, Morrisey &, James Dean Bradfield, are utter idiots at times in my eyes but I accept their musical traits, and just how talented they are. I actually worded the post wrong,

"I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't help but like*" lol

[stereosforgeeks]

I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't but like.

It's all about separating the art from the artist though.

It's not like when we buy the album, we're buying into their ideals, lifestyle choice, political stance etc.

That sounds kinda strange, seeing as the manics are quite a political group.
But if that's why you got into the band, you probably had that kinda stance before discovering their music anyway.

I was talking to someone in the pub about morrisey & when i brought up the fact that he's an asshole, the other guy said something like "well we all are at times."

So that pretty much sums my stance up.

You really cant separate the art from the artist. The artist's personality is at least part of the art. Does a critic making a point about a painting separate the artists emotions and brush strokes from the portrait?

You can never really separate an individual from their actions.

[jofussunshyne]

I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't but like.

It's all about separating the art from the artist though.

It's not like when we buy the album, we're buying into their ideals, lifestyle choice, political stance etc.

That sounds kinda strange, seeing as the manics are quite a political group.
But if that's why you got into the band, you probably had that kinda stance before discovering their music anyway.

I was talking to someone in the pub about morrisey & when i brought up the fact that he's an asshole, the other guy said something like "well we all are at times."

So that pretty much sums my stance up.

You really cant separate the art from the artist. The artist's personality is at least part of the art. Does a critic making a point about a painting separate the artists emotions and brush strokes from the portrait?

You can never really separate an individual from their actions.

I think he meant seperating the man from the music, (without the general classification of arts and artists,) and he was right.

JDB is a wanker in my eyes, but the Manics still have good, even great tunes. You just have to see past the reasons you dislike the man and admit to liking the music. It isn't critiqued the same way abstract art, prose, & perhaps even literature in itself should be because it doesn't need to be dripping with emotion to sound good. At the depths of certain songwriters traits are abstract lyrics that are a definition of their personality, but it isn't the same as why a painter will paint his soul on a blank canvas. Personality will shine through, but an angst-driven singer wont always create musical masterpieces within said mould because it just runs stale very quickly. A man will have his ways that he breathes into his singing and pours into his lyrics, but he should never be due the same critique as a painter with the blankest of canvas' staring back at him.

[stereosforgeeks]

I must admit, I love to hate them. James Dean Bradfield ranks up there with Morrisey & Bono as utter dicks, whose music you can't but like.

It's all about separating the art from the artist though.

It's not like when we buy the album, we're buying into their ideals, lifestyle choice, political stance etc.

That sounds kinda strange, seeing as the manics are quite a political group.
But if that's why you got into the band, you probably had that kinda stance before discovering their music anyway.

I was talking to someone in the pub about morrisey & when i brought up the fact that he's an asshole, the other guy said something like "well we all are at times."

So that pretty much sums my stance up.

You really cant separate the art from the artist. The artist's personality is at least part of the art. Does a critic making a point about a painting separate the artists emotions and brush strokes from the portrait?

You can never really separate an individual from their actions.

I think he meant seperating the man from the music, (without the general classification of arts and artists,) and he was right.

JDB is a wanker in my eyes, but the Manics still have good, even great tunes. You just have to see past the reasons you dislike the man and admit to liking the music. It isn't critiqued the same way abstract art, prose, & perhaps even literature in itself should be because it doesn't need to be dripping with emotion to sound good. At the depths of certain songwriters traits are abstract lyrics that are a definition of their personality, but it isn't the same as why a painter will paint his soul on a blank canvas. Personality will shine through, but an angst-driven singer wont always create musical masterpieces within said mould because it just runs stale very quickly. A man will have his ways that he breathes into his singing and pours into his lyrics, but he should never be due the same critique as a painter with the blankest of canvas' staring back at him.

I dont disagree I was pointing out that the man/artist's personality is always a part of the music. Somer songs more than others obviously. That being said you can still like the music regardless of whether you think the artist is as a complete and utter jackass. Honestly I think there is something inherently narcissistic about wanting to create in the first part. Most artists create because they want to be seen/heard/etc... and that need to communicate themselves to others is something that can be seen as selfish because it puts them above others. Some artists create intensely personal music that does seem to be for themselves but in general I think this is a rarity.

[King Of Nowhere]

What i'm saying is, you don't have to endorse or agree with someones lifestyle to be a fan of their music.

It's probably clearer if i use someone like Garry Glitter as an example.
That man is vile scum & always will be, but Rock & Roll Part 2 is still one of the greatest songs ever.

Or to put it another way...
You don't have to be a heroin addict to like Lou Reed.

[Fried Gold]

Didn't know their new album was being produced by Steve Albini.

...at least it'll sound well recorded even if the songs themselves are a bit lame.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

You people are moronic. I've never seen more blatant examples of people talking about something they know sweet fuck all about. Having met the man, why anyone would think James Dean Bradfield is an 'arsehole' is beyond me.

[jofussunshyne]

You people are moronic. I've never seen more blatant examples of people talking about something they know sweet fuck all about. Having met the man, why anyone would think James Dean Bradfield is an 'arsehole' is beyond me.

Yeah, mate, it's called opinion. My opinion of the man from what I have seen, is that he is an "arsehole." Of course my opinion is based on my very own knowlege of him. I'm not gonna go all out and say "FUCK THIS, WHAT A TOOL!" because I know generally that my reasons are petty for not liking him I admit, he has just said some things that I didn't like in a very arrogant and pompous manner. If ANYONE did the same thing, I wouldn't like them either.

Who gives a fuck if you've met him, seriously. I'm pretty sure I've met people you don't like, but it doesn't mean you knew fuck all about them. I think he is what he is because of what I've seen and read of him in publications and on television where I am allowed to base an opinion. Just because I've never met the man, doesn't mean I can't say anything about him. If he is in the public eye, then he will always be made or broken by what peoples opinions of him are. I have listened to a lot of manics albums, bought a lot of magazines with them on the cover and seen them interviewed and performing, if I know fuck all then only people as cool as you who have met him should say anything about him.

That made me laugh that you said that though thanks mate!

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

You people are moronic. I've never seen more blatant examples of people talking about something they know sweet fuck all about. Having met the man, why anyone would think James Dean Bradfield is an 'arsehole' is beyond me.

Yeah, mate, it's called opinion. My opinion of the man from what I have seen, is that he is an "arsehole." Of course my opinion is based on my very own knowlege of him. I'm not gonna go all out and say "FUCK THIS, WHAT A TOOL!" because I know generally that my reasons are petty for not liking him I admit, he has just said some things that I didn't like in a very arrogant and pompous manner. If ANYONE did the same thing, I wouldn't like them either.

Who gives a fuck if you've met him, seriously. I'm pretty sure I've met people you don't like, but it doesn't mean you knew fuck all about them. I think he is what he is because of what I've seen and read of him in publications and on television where I am allowed to base an opinion. Just because I've never met the man, doesn't mean I can't say anything about him. If he is in the public eye, then he will always be made or broken by what peoples opinions of him are. I have listened to a lot of manics albums, bought a lot of magazines with them on the cover and seen them interviewed and performing, if I know fuck all then only people as cool as you who have met him should say anything about him.

That made me laugh that you said that though thanks mate!

Look - Bono and Morrissey have extremes in their personalities, which is always going to drive people in different directions on what they think of them. Personally, I think Morrissey is an egotisitcal twit who sings like Kermit the Frog. But other people think he's a genius. And that's fine - different opinions make the world an interesting place.

But Bradders?!?!? What's to dislike? It makes no sense to me!! Nicky, now that's different - I adore Nicky Wire and he's my hero, but he has his faults. Some majorly annoying ones. But I can't level the same argument at James and I struggle to understand how somebody can.

[King Of Nowhere]

This thread has only just got back on track from scotty's potty's ramblings.
Lets not throw insults around & ruin the discussion.

Jofussunshyne doesn't want to sit down & have a cup of tea with James, that's understandable.
Now with Bono, it'd have to be fucking free trade tea.
I'm guessing lunch with Morrisey is out of the question too.

Obviously, these lunches & meetings would take place at Chuck Berry's Restaurant.
Lou Reed, Brian Ferry, the ghost of Kurt Cobain etc. would all be in the kitchen, cooking up something nice.
Leave the kids at MJ's Neverland retreat or Garry Glitter's daycare centre.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

RICHEY'S REVIEW OF JOURNAL FOR PLAGUE LOVERS

In this day and age, albums usually leak long before they are released. But one particular album as not leaked and has left fans desperate for the opportunity to hear it. I counted myself as one of these people…until last night when, out of the blue, an old friend of mine got in touch with me. A close friend of theirs is one of the lucky few who received a promotional copy of Journal For Plague Lovers and my friend (who must remain nameless, obviously) gave me the chance to listen to the album. Being not only a huge Manics fan of many years but also one of the many fans who has been desperate to hear this new album, I was hardly going to say no. And so it was that I had my chance to hear the new Manic Street Preachers album for the first time. And let me put it to you like this – the money I’ve spent pre-ordering my CD and vinyl copies of the album was certainly money very well spent.

Rather than do what the magazines are all doing (and will all do) and write a review where only bits of the record are really mentioned, I’m going to do a track-by-track review so that people can get a better feel for just what exactly Journal For Plague Lovers is and sounds like. Afterall, if you’re reading this then you don’t need all the pre-amble about what the album is, how and why Richey’s lyrics are being used or anything else. So let’s get right down to the music, shall we? I like to rate individual tracks the way I would in Media Player, where you can award a song a number of stars out of 5 for how much you like them. And there’s not a single song here that falls beneath 4 stars.

1. “Peeled Apples”
The opening track of the album has already been heard by most Manics fans as it was played on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show some weeks back. Kicking things off is a vocal sample from the excellent movie The Machinist where Christian Bale tells us ‘You know so little about me. What if I turn into a werewolf or something?’ It’s a nice, spine tingling way to set the mood for what comes next. The track itself is served beautifully by Steve Albini’s production, his great gift of course being to make everything on a track sound live. So not only do we get his trademark drum sound, but a full band arrangement and vocal that sounds as though you’re in the room with the band as they’re performing the song. Lyrically, Richey seems to be talking about peeling back the surface image of America and seeing what lies beneath. Obviously the lyric is very layered so interpretation is difficult, but there are enough American culture references to indicate this is the case. It’s a belter of a track and a great start to the album, mixing the hard rock sound of songs like ‘Found That Soul’ with the tone of The Holy Bible.

RATING: 5/5

2. “Jackie Collins Existential Question Time”
Musically we’re into a distinctive mix of Everything Must Go and Send Away The Tigers with this one, until the song nears its end and the whole thing suddenly steps up a notch into a tight, claustrophobic rock sound and Bradfield screeching for all he’s worth. He hasn’t belted a song out like this in a long time and god; it feels good to hear him singing like that again! His voice is brilliant during the whole album actually. If there had been any single releases from this album, ‘Jackie Collins…’ would’ve been a good choice – but not the only one available.

RATING: 4/5

3. “Me and Stephen Hawking”
This is one of my favourite moments on the whole album. A very early Manics rock sound that’s been updated is how I would describe most of the b-sides from the Send Away The Tigers era and this falls right into that category. Good, solid rock until we reach the chorus and then things slow down a bit into a lilting, almost drowsy melody. Works perfectly for the song and really gives life to the rockier parts of the song when they kick back in. Some very witty lines in the lyrics here, especially the last part of the chorus. This will be excellent live and frankly this could’ve been a great single too.

RATING: 5/5

4. “This Joke Sport Severed”
Now we get to the first of the acoustic tracks on the album. Bradfield employs his sweet ballad voice here over the top of double tracked acoustic strumming. It’s a very mournful tune, very beautiful. Then after the first part we get a strange sound barrage that slowly builds up and then gives way to a full band playing the song – and strings! This was the first massive surprise for me of the record because I totally didn’t expect those strings. In terms of comparing the orchestral sound to past Manics songs, think ‘The Everlasting’ but with an almost Eastern feel to them. Needles to say, they make this song. Utterly beautiful.

RATING: 4/5

5. “Journal For Plague Lovers”
Opening with the sounds of the pages of the Bible being turned, then a stomping drum beat lays down the groove as feedback howls over the top, the title track is another that would not have been out of place being released as a single. Reminds me very much of Everything Must Go, specifically ‘Enola/Alone’ in terms of the instrumentation. It’s not as lush and orchestral of course, but the feeling is similar. But with these tracks that do sound like Everything Must Go era Manics, they still have this tone and bite that is pure The Holy Bible. Lyrically, Richey is clearly deconstructing Christianity – ‘Only a God can bruise, only a God can soothe’ – and so it seems that the eponymous journal for plague lovers is, in fact, The Bible. Clever stuff, Mr Edwards.

RATING: 4/5

6. “She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach”
In the opening guitar riffs, I can hear the Elliott Smith influence here, as this sounds very much to me like ‘Coast To Coast’ from Smith’s last album. But the chorus is pure Manics. Totally catchy, totally rocking, totally amazing. Generation Terrorists era Manics in terms of the vocal melody and the instrumentation. I’d need to listen to this more, but I’m pretty certain the lyrics are a critique of love. Again, this is one of the standout moments on the album for me.

RATING: 5/5


7. “Facing Page: Top Left”
This is one of the most beautiful songs the Manics have ever recorded. Bradfield sings a gorgeously lilting vocal melody over an acoustic guitar duet with a harp. Yes, it’s very much revisiting ‘Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky’ in terms of the arrangement, but it doesn’t sound like that song. Closer cousin perhaps would be ‘1404’. It’s difficult to write about this one…you’ve really just got to hear it and judge for yourself, but I think this is an utter classic. And when I first heard about the acoustic moments on this album I was worried they would stand out, wouldn’t fit in with the rest of the record, but I was totally wrong. In fact, that’s how I’ve felt throughout the album – so glad to be wrong!

RATING: 5/5

8. “Marlon J.D.”
And following that we suddenly get an 80’s style drum beat and The Holy Bible style jagged guitars! It throws you for a moment because it’s just totally not what you would expect, but sure enough it works brilliantly. This is the one song that I would say sounds nothing like anything the Manics have done before. Not to me anyway. It’s a great tune though, with some excellent lyrical moments – ‘I will not beg because this is how I am’ would be my favourite. Albini gets a really tight sound out of this one and the melody is very catchy. Some Marlon Brando vocal samples dropped here and there on this one – nice touch.

RATING: 4/5

9. “Doors Closing Slowly”
Okay…this was the moment that almost upset the balance for me. ‘Doors Closing Slowly’ did not instantly grab me as the other songs did. The most important thing to remember about this album is both the music and the lyrics have depth that were missing from Send Away The Tigers (which was a great album, but very shallow). And this track would be the best example of that because it’s a grower. The depth here means you will probably dislike this on first listen, but it’s one you should stick with and allow yourself to become emerged in it. Some lovely instrumentation and Albini’s drum sound really makes this one. There’s one line in the lyrics that really put a smile on my face - ‘Listen to the selfish ones, they are the voice of accomplishment’ – just one of those Richey lines that is instantly memorable.

RATING: 4/5

10. “All Is Vanity”
I’m probably going to get disagreed with on this one by a lot of Manics fans, but I think this is a fucking brilliant tune. Opens with finger picked guitars over the lovely tense drum sound and then kicks into a stuttering fuzz guitar line. One of my favourite Bradfield vocal melodies on the whole album and the lyrics are probably my absolute favourite – ‘I refuse to only want one truth, I really don’t mind being lied to’ is a lovely line. The chorus is just genius. The line ‘It’s the facts of life, sunshine’ certainly doesn’t sound like much on paper, but then you’ve haven’t heard the way Bradfield delivers it over the pounding drum line and schizophrenic guitar line. Close contender for my favourite track of the whole album. Just everything about it, for me, works.

RATING: 5/5

11. “Pretension/Repulsion”
Another great Manics chorus that will be great to sing along to live – just imagining a few hundred people at the Wolverhampton Civic all singing ‘Pornographic!!’ Awesome. This has more of the The Holy Bible tone and reminded me particularly of ‘Yes’. No, it’s not as good as ‘Yes’ but the sound is similar. Aww hell, just listen to it and you’ll understand what I mean! Actually it’s more a cross between ‘Yes’ and ‘Removables’. Anyway – this is the shortest track on the record but if it were any longer it would lose its urgency. As it stands, it works perfectly as it is.

RATING: 4/5

12. “Virginia State Epileptic Colony”
Another Everything Must Go style melody but with the edge that the rest of the album contains. Interestingly, the best way to describe the chorus musically is ‘sarcastic’. It’s got that ‘Comfort Comes’ type thing to it where you feel the music poking a finger at you. I think this will be a live favourite for sure ‘Pig pig piggy!!’ Really made me smile when the piano kicks in after the second chorus, thought that was a lovely little flourish that adds something almost playful to the track.

RATING: 4/5

13. “Williams Last Words”
I’m not sure why it starts with what sounds like a bad sound effect from an 80’s action movie…but still. Nicky Wire does a good job with the lead vocal here. You can tell he’s trying as hard as he can to deliver it with style and emotion. The lyrics are very bittersweet but it’s nowhere near as saddening as I’d expected. If anything, it’s almost hopeful in it’s sound and the lyrics are like some kind of goodbye but not a farewell (if that makes sense). It’s a sweet song and is a lovely way to close the album. Well, it would be if it weren’t for….

RATING: 4/5

14. “Bag Lady”
The bonus ‘hidden’ track!! Yes, this should’ve been the actual album closer. Very very The Holy Bible this one. Scratchy guitars and tension throughout, we’re treated to a bit more Bradfield screeching on this one and also some very slick and cool bass work from Mr Wire. The ‘guitar solo’ part of the song is just amazing. Struggled to make out the lyrics on this one but particularly liked - ‘I am not dead, I know my rights’. A shame this isn’t part of the album as a separate track because it really does deserve to be more than just a ‘hidden’ track. I think it would be an excellent album closer in the style of ‘PCP’.

RATING: 5/5

Despite all my fears that they wouldn’t pull it off, the Manics have made a record that is utterly stunning and at times sounds like nothing they’ve ever done before whilst still totally sounding like the Manics. With more depth musically and lyrically than anything they’ve done in some time, Journal For Plague Lovers is not 'more a work of art than a proper Manics album' as Nicky Wire keeps insisting – it’s the best Manics album since Everything Must Go. No, I’m not bullshitting and I’m not getting caught up in first-listen hype. This album truly is that good and I can only hope Manics fans everywhere are going to be as thrilled as I am with the results here. It’s got urgency, it’s got style, it’s got hooks, it’s catchy in places, it’s heartfelt in others, it’s beautiful, it’s aggressive, it’s the Manics and in the end that’s all you ever want as a fan from a new album. And this just catapulted up my list of album preference – the order I’d put the albums in:

1. Everything Must Go / The Holy Bible (can’t ever choose one over the other, sorry!)
2. Journal For Plague Lovers
3. Generation Terrorists
4. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
5. Send Away The Tigers
6. Gold Against The Soul
7. Lifeblood
8. Know Your Enemy

So there it is folks. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading the review and I hope you’ll all love this record as much as I do. Because this is the Manics at their very very best, I promise you.

[Gerald Fried]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8050110.stm

Unnecccesary controversy caused by new album artwork.

[Gerald Fried]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8050110.stm

Unnecccesary controversy caused by new album artwork.