Album Rating: 4.5

Terrible review and some silly comments in here...

Go shag a sheep!

Album Rating: 4.5

Yawn

Or maybe listen to some decent Manic Street Preachers albums.

Album Rating: 4.5

They all are...even Lifeblood

Shocking.

Album Rating: 2.5

welshman, would you like to share your reasons why the review is terrible? I assure you, it's not on purpose, so I'm open to criticism and points of improvement.

Album Rating: 4.5

Ok....I will.



The first 2 paragraphs are ok, but then the third paragraph goes on about the Manics supposedly ripping off Radiohead B-sides and the claim that 2 other songs are also "borrowed" from elsewhere, yet doesn't even hint at what songs they sound like. Surprising then that while on the subject of borrowing riffs from elsewhere, no mention is made of the fact that the title track is a reworking of a David Axelrod instrumental "Little Girl Lost", with Nicky Wire words sung over the top of it. You even single out the guitar work on this track for further comment without even mentioning it.



I don't agree with "4 Lonely Roads" being the weakest moment of the album. Yes, it wouldn't have made it onto The Holy Bible, but the Manics have always pushed boundaries and tried new things...it's why they have such a huge back catalogue, in which there is something for everyone. You claim that "Manorbier" is a highlight. In fact, this is the weak spot of the album and should have been left as a B-side. Of course, this is just opinions. I would say the songs range from "good to great", not "bad to great".



There is talk of flatness and, yes, the sound is softer than the previous few albums, but there is still venom in the lyrics. On "This Sullen Welsh Heart", Nicky exclaims through Lucy Rose's gorgeous voice "the hating half of me has won the battle easily". On "Builder of Routines", the line "how I hate middle age, inbetween acceptance and rage" suggests an enforced surrender to old father time, rather than to the establishment.



The review does not even mention the amazing album closer "30 year war". This song could have easily made it onto Journal For Plague Lovers. A Holy Bible-esque bassline with a classic Wire vitriolic lyric - "So you hide all Lowry's paintings for 30 years or more, cuz he turned down a knighthood and you must now settle the score. And the endless parade of old Etonion scum line the front benches...". Bradfield rasps this in classic Manics style, suggesting there is plenty of life in this old dog yet. You get the impression he has held back from belting it out when recording this chorus, in keeping with the overall sound of the album.



In summary, the review suggests a listener that hasn't given the album enough repeated listens and certainly hasn't listened to the lyrics. It seems to fall into the trap of being disappointed it isn't another Holy Bible (or JFPL), which is a bit of a cliche among reviews of Manics albums.

Album Rating: 2.5

Wow, I never expected to get as detailed criticism as that. Much appreciated. As you say, a lot of

it is a matter of opinion. As for the points less related to opinion about the album and more the

way my opinion comes across, I acknowledge the points you make about my lacklustre attention to

detail, as in my talk about "borrowing", which I didn't mean quite as literally as it came across.

Which, of course, is all to blame on me and my writing. Also, I admit that I paid too little

attention to the lyrics in the review, as while I have listened to them, they did not leave much of

an impression on me (once again, a matter of opinion). Of course, it would have been better to at

least make mention of this, and give some attempt at explanation. Finally, I didn't go into with

expectations (conscious, at least) of another Holy Bible, and it's certainly not a point I tried to

get across in the review. Rather, as I say at the beginning, a great thing about the Manics is that

they're able to switch gears and do more things than THB, as great as it is.



Once again, I'm most grateful for your feedback. Thanks.

Album Rating: 4.5

No problem



I was probably a bit harsh. It's not terrible...I'm a bit overly protective of The Manics, probably due to having read so many reviews over the years in the music press, on amazon, on sites like this, in which disappointment is expressed that it isn't another bible.



Your writing style is fine, my issues were with the content and the sentiments conveyed, but hey, if we all agreed on music then sites like this might as well be shut down!



I feel guilty now for giving a negative vote :-(

Album Rating: 2.5

Nah man, if you hadn't negged I'd never have gotten that feedback.

Album Rating: 4.0

this album is so much more relatable if you're from the valleys

Album Rating: 3.2

This Sullen Welsh Heart, Rewind The Film and 3 Ways To See Despair are great. The rest ranges from just fine to boring.

Album Rating: 4.0

show me the wonder and 30 year war are great too, the former has an awesome music vid

Album Rating: 3.2

I don't dig Show Me The Wonder very much, but I'll admit 30 year war is good.

Album Rating: 2.5

Agreed. Upon revisitations, some of the songs on this thing work better for me separate from the whole album context, for whatever reason.