…cos it should get you moving all by itself!! Cheap joke!
OK, let’s get serious, as the Manic Street Preachers nearly always are. To my mind, as a gnarly old-time Manics fan, this latest album presents something of a return to their old form, though still far from their best but I doubt they will ever attain that again due to the inevitability of aging and commercialism. However, after their last album, “This is My Truth Now tell me Yours”, which was a somewhat messy, directionless and downbeat affair, this latest one start packing the punches again.
Tracklisting:
Found That Soul Ocean Spray Intravenous Agnostic So Why So Sad Let Robeson Sing The Year of Purification Wattsville Blues Miss Europa Disco Dancer Dead Martyrs His Last Painting My Guernica The Convale Scent Royal Correspondent E.P. Centre Baby Elian Freedom of Speech
Unfortunately most of the albums highlights come within the first six or seven tracks, particularly being the singles, which in many ways is a shame as that leaves relatively weak material for any future singles off the album. My favourite here is the blistering “old Manics” style of the first track “Found That Soul” (also a single) which presents a fantastic start to an album but then again a lot to live up to! A racing, chonking beat with James Dean Bradfield’s sincere, straining vocals giving the track energy and urgency.
Their latest single, “Ocean Spray”, written about the death of Bradfield’s mother, has a beautiful, lilting tune and is a pretty good sing-along number if you’re that way inclined but again it represents an early peak on the album.
The last single on the album (so far) is “So Why So Sad”, again a highlight in my opinion, with it’s wonderful, ethereal “bombombom, bombombom” vocal backing!
Ah, now a lowlight in my opinion, I understand the irony of it in the lyrics but “Miss Europa Disco Dancer”, a funky, disco charty track is truly awful, the lyrics being the only saving grace - “Brain Dead Motherf***ers”! – very unlike the band we know.
As the album draws to a close we hit the political correctness of “Baby Elian”, a dismal track about Cuban child Elian and the political battle over his residency. Well-meaning I guess, but not very exciting either musically or lyrically – it drags and wanders.
The few low points aside I see this as something of a “comeback” album from the Manic Street Preachers but just what they are coming back to, I’m not sure. Fans of the band already will most probably enjoy it but I can’t see it winning them any new supporters?
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Great op!
I wasn't a big fan of the Manics, maybe liking the odd song, but my boyfriend has liked them since the beginning and I borrowed this latest CD and I love it!
jefferson 04.07.2001 12:48
Not my kind of thing, but nice review!
Dominic2001 02.07.2001 01:42
I've been told ocean spray is a great track..I might see if I can nick...erm I mean download it on audio galaxy great op!
So many people seemed upset when the Manic Street Preachers finally softened and went ... more
sugary and stadium-rock, you'd think it was some sort of surprise. But--ironically, for a Manics album--Know Your Enemyshould keep everyone happy. It's as big and lus...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
So many people seemed upset when the Manic Street Preachers finally softened and went ... more
sugary and stadium-rock, you'd think it was some sort of surprise. But--ironically, for a Manics album--Know Your Enemy should keep everyone happy. It's as big and lu...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Found That Soul Ocean Spray Intravenous Agnostic So Why So Sad Let Robeson Sing The Year ... more
Of Purification Wattsville Blues Miss Europa Disco Dancer Dead Martyrs His Last Painting My Guernica The Convalescent Royal Correspondent Epicentre Baby Elian Free...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Great rock album, full of passion, with brilliant vocals and well crafted tracks Disadvantages: Some dud tracks, also i think the UK version doesnt have Masses Against the Classes on it
Advantages: 17 Tracks, some brilliant, full of skill, passion, thought and deeper meanings. Nice inlay. Disadvantages: Some tracks aren’t so good, some explicit lyrics, political messages, oh well, it’s the Manics! What do you expect? Also I cannot find an inspired anthem that I will go back to in years and years time.
Advantages: 'So Why So Sad' and 'Let Robeson Sing' are good Disadvantages: Very slim pickings when it comes to the rest of the album, very dodgy lyrics and sloganeering, quite artificial and studied
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Jun 28th, 2001
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