Know Your Enemy [ECD] - Manic Street Preachers > Reviews > Have they found that soul again.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money

Advantages:	Still better than the Vengaboys
Disadvantages:	Can't top 'The Holy Bible' .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm not sure which side of the Manics' fence I'm going to sit on just yet as the album is still playing. However, I do have a comfy chair so what ever the outcome it will be time well spent on my bottom.

So here goes; as they play I'll write a comment.

1) Found That Soul - Like this one. Good use of honkytonk piano and it's racing along quite merrily... and aggressively. Did James just raise his voice in anger? Maybe. That's what was lacking in the last album; a bit of spunk! (Sorry, could not resist!) Yes... promising.

2) Ocean Spray - Down a couple of notches here. Less catchy. Hmmm... rather bland stuff actually. Knowing my judgment it'll be hailed as a classic in two weeks, but on first listen... what's next?

3) Intravenous Agnostic - Intriguing title. Song starts well, good drum intro to verse. Head nodding guitar riff too. Chorus is a little simple, but perhaps one of those that'll stick in your head. Reminds me somewhat of the good old days of Bob Mould and 'Sugar' (Not to be confused with the teenage magazine, or white stuff on your cornflakes.) Oooh, slowed down a bit... ready for a big finish? Yes! Nice one!

4) So Why So Sad - So why two singles? This one got the most airplay, so I'm sure there's nothing more to add. Except I find it all a bit 'girly'. (Sorry - day at work, no better words to use.) I like the verse, but the chorus is a letdown. Sounds like they're making it up as they go along. Reserving judgment here.

5) Let Robeson Sing - Nice little tune, lots of humming, swaying, lighters in hands. 'Voice so pure, vision so clear.' La la... Oh No! Daft talky bit! Why do artists insist on having talking over their music? Sing boy sing! That's ruined it now...

6) The Year of Purification - Mid-paced, quite catchy, harmonies in the chorus... I don't know about you but I remember when the MSP's were argumentative, beligerent young tykes. I know everone gets old, but surely rock stars can make it last longer than most. I want James Dean Bradfield to swear at me and insult my mother! It's just not happening.

7) Whatsville Blues - Starts a little differently; bit of a voice effect going on there... sounds slightly like 'Blur'. Oh but woe, another mediocre chorus! Maybe it's a grower, and I'll be humming it at work all week. Let's hope so. (Joy! He just swore at me!)

8) Miss Europa Disco Dancer - I'm looking forward to this one. It should be a stonker! Oh yeah, Saturday Night Fever! Bee Gees! But I can't help feeling it's also a little bit 'Pet Shop Boys'. Ermm.

9) Dead Martyrs - Drums good. Bass good. Feels a little darker, this one. Some lovely depressing lyrics too. 'Dead stars are always the blackest... Got no future - just dead stars for dead eyes.' Now we're warming up a little...

10) His Last Painting - Simple, low key. A head nodder, a singalong one too. Nothing flash; probably one I'll try to sing drunk when I'm feeling slightly sorry for myself.

11) My Guernica - My word! What does that mean? Guitar effects, pulsing along nicely. Oh, not sure about that repetitive bridge, but... yes the chorus is fine. A bit talky too, but I'm going to have to retract a past statement. It actually works on this track. I'm getting a better idea about which side of the fence I'm on...

12) The Convalescent - Nobody calls them 'She Loves You' anymore do they? Is it a sign of superior intellect or that they don't actually have anything to write about. This one doesn't seem to know where it's going. Chord changes all over the place; just doesn't seem to hang right.

13) Royal Correspondent - These titles are getting ridiculous. What'll be next: 'Jaffa Cakes.' 'Size 10 Shoe.' I'm just not grabbed! The song? Moody and slow, like a dimwitted five year old. No, not for me.

14) Epicentre - Plucked guitar... drums in... keyboard... vocals. I think the Manics' fence has been built in the middle of the road, because that's where I'm finding myself. It's going a bit wrong now...

15) Baby Elian - I'm getting bored now...

16) Freedom of Speech Won't Feed my Child - This should be brilliant! Alas, an opportunity missed I feel. It's okay, harmless enough. And I think that is ultimately the problem... ugh, strange high pitched bit! It's going a bit Prog Rock. Actually, not bad. I might change my mind on this one...

Okay, so that's it. So what do we conclude from this? Firstly, an album needs a good four or five listens before a true opinion can be made. However, I think one thing is certain. The Old Manics are well and truly gone. It is a different beast now; slower, more weary. A bit like us all when time gets hold of us. But as I said earlier, one would hope the stars can pretend to be eternal for a bit longer than Joe Public, and if you call your album 'Know Your Enemy' I think a certain.. feistiness is expected. Unfortunately it is sadly lacking.

Still, I can't damn too soon, so I must leave my comfy chair, scale that fence and get perched... at least for another two or three listens.

(Oooh, hidden track - what an original idea...)