Everything Must Go is the first Manic Street Preachers since the mysterious disappearance of their guitarist and songwriter as well as the leading force Richey Edwards. This could be a real problem album; a large part of the band had gone and it was going to be interesting to see how they would fare.
And in an answer it is a brilliant album. The media have got behind this album because of the circumstances, and as a result is has a lot of hype and billed as the perfect album. Ok so maybe it is not perfect, but this is a very good album. The loss of Richey as songwriter has seen Nicky Wire emerge to write some tracks all by himself, and as some like Design For Life shows he is very good at this. The album is very powerful, they are able to show their real life experiences, without being that dark as some of their earlier stuff has.
This album could also show that the Welshmen have moved a bit more into the mainstream. They have come away from the really dark and depressing stuff that I was not a huge fan of, but this could displease some of the real fans. They have gone into the music
business, picking up some awards that you would really associate with other pop acts, but this album really has got quality music in here, and is well worth a look.
1. Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
Slow start with water lapping before the real music cuts in. Great guitar solo in the middle, but there is a great change from verse, which is vocals only accompanied by acoustic guitars, but bursts into life with a very rocky chorus with louder and more electric guitars. Good song, it grew on me, though I would have liked to start the album off with a different one.
2. A Design for Life
One of the best-known song by the Manic Street Preachers, a real favourite and it is really worthy of all the awards and comments it gets. A great song, really powerful both with all the lyrics and the way it is sung. Classic. All the lyrics solely written by Nicky Wire in this one, as are many of the others on this album
3. Kevin Carter
Another really good song both lyrically and musically. The lyrics tell the story of prize photographer Carter who took some powerful shots and lived the high life until it killed him. Simple song, good drumming for the real backbone and does come more to life in the chorus with guitars. Good trumpet solo from Sean Moore as well there.
4. Enola/Alone
I like this song, although it has a quite sad message in the words, the chorus has a good feel and good rhythm to it. Again written all by Wire, a good song though easy to pick up and one of the more catchy ones.
5. Everything Must Go
Another real classic from the Manics, like Design for Life a very, very powerful song. Well written song, going backwards and forwards between arguments, and the chorus is really great. Nice lyrics if you real them, written again by Wire.
6. Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky
Written by Richey Edwards, this is a more depressing and darker song. Some good hard lyrics, though less powerful as a song than some of the others. Very dark song, little acoustic guitar backing and slow moving
7. The Girl Who Wanted to be God
Good rhythm to the song, keeps going all the way through and nice and easy to listen to. Great way of bursting into life with the chorus shouting out the words: ‘the girl that wanted to be god’. I think I am right in saying this is about Sylvia Plath, the wife of famous poet Ted Hughes and a writer herself. Good song, a change in pace after track seven.
8. Removables
Nice guitar intro into the song, and then continues with power full of guitars. Richey Edwards writes this song, a real good look on how the can feel and some great little words there. Very good song to show feelings, the moving and soul searching life.
9. Australia
Very simple, and as a result a really great song. Great song, full of energy that is a nice turn at this stage of the album. It is truly a good song, alive with the
10. Interiors
Written by Nicky Wire, and one of his best works lyrically on the album. Again is a change to the last track on the album, much slower and a more depressing song. Good enough song, not one of my favourite but still has a feel to it that this is quality.
11. Further Away
Not unlike Enola/Alone in that is and is very good. Another nice guitar solo in there, a good song to listen to near the end of the album
12. No Surface all Feeling.
A great chorus, along the best on the album up with Design for Life, Everything Must Go and the first one. Slower verse, but builds up really well to a top chorus, full of great music and a good way to round off an excellent album.
Overall a good album, even without the talent of Richey Edwards. Nicky Wire comes through, and this is top music. With all the hard things they have been through the lyrics and the music has a deep meaning and a feel to the music. Top quality, not a bad track on the album and the high point of the Manic Street Preachers.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Well written review. I do like this band, but rarely get round to buying any albums. Maybe one to look out for on E-bay. Cheers.
craiggy_boy 26.02.2002 19:26
You review this CD well Chris and it is pretty unusual as far as indie albums go in that it is pretty much superb from start to finish - no need to hit fast forward. In my opinion this is So much better and more polished than anything the Manics ever did under the leadership of Rich, although they did have their good points in their early days. Hard to pick out a favourite track from this album but it has loads of good memories for me, cheers for bringing them back again - I might just go and have a listen to it ;). Craig
DannyLeedsutd 25.02.2002 10:07
I only like a few manic street songs but your op was informative and Helpfull, thanks Danny.
In coming back after the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards,Everything Must Gohad ... more
to be special. Thankfully, the album shows extreme dignity in the face of adversity, with its big, Phil Spector-ish production and the pure lyrical perfection of...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
In coming back after the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards,Everything Must Gohad ... more
to be special. Thankfully, the album shows extreme dignity in the face of adversity, with its big, Phil Spector-ish production and the pure lyrical perfection of...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
In coming back after the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards, Everything Must Go ... more
had to be special. Thankfully, the album shows extreme dignity in the face of adversity, with its big, Phil Spector-ish production and the pure lyrical perfection...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In coming back after the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards, Everything Must Go ... more
had to be special. Thankfully, the album shows extreme dignity in the face of adversity, with its big, Phil Spector-ish production and the pure lyrical perfection...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier A Design For Life Kevin Carter Enola/Alone ... more
Everything Must Go Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky The Girl Who Wanted To Be God Removables Australia Interiors (Song For Willem De Kooning) Furt...
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Advantages: Polished perfection, Welsh lyrical craftsmenship, Driving rock beats and some mellow wonders, Why the manics are my second fave. band Disadvantages: Nothing except the hauting calling for Richey James Edwards
Feb 21st, 2002
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