Bloody love the title track, lol don't see what's terrible about Manorbier but as ever, each to their own. Don't think the increasing duets and instrumentals since Postcards is anything to do with James losing passion for singing as much as not wanting to wear his voice out and wanting to add another dimension to a song with another voice. Nicky can't sing, everyone knows that and he'd be the first to admit as much. Doesn't necessarily make a crap song though, don't need to be exceptional musicians to make a great song.

From the interviews in around Futurology and Rewind the Film, James made it clear he was becoming frustrated with the sound of his own voice which is to be expected after 30 years and circa 400 songs. The problem is that he seems to be a little bit of a control hog in the studio so even when we get the guest vocalist, they're rarely given free reign unless they're someone with gravitas like Richard Hawley and Ian McCulloch. Judging by the demos, most of the duets are written before the singer is asked and hence we get more often get the singer singing from James's sheet rather than bringing their own talent to the song. That's not to say the duets are bad, they're not, but I do struggle to remember which soft singing female artist songs on which duet and that feels like a shame.

I think that's a little unfair if I dare say:) And they may well have a vocalist in mind as they're writing a duet - you don't always get the person you have in mind from what I understand of course. I think they choose well and Cate Le Bon on 4 Lonely Roads is for me at least a perfect choice....McCulloch is such a big name and with such a distinct voice it's hardly surprising he springs to mind quicker when thinking on duets.....sometimes the big names get in the way....a chance to perform with an idol of yours above the song....not that I think that's the case with Some Kind of Nothingness as I love that one a lot but it is hard to match a good duet so they're both inhabiting the song rather than performing as 'themselves' ...a guest starring performance......4 Lonely Roads is one of their best in that respect. You're supposed to work together in interpretation not have free reign....though yeah James has pretty much said he can't help but erm offer advice....ha. He just wants it all to come together

Following on from the discussion about duets, I was flicking through various Youtube videos the other day and saw an interview where James was talking about the possibility of recording an album with someone else singing. Got me thinking who out of all the duets they have done would be the best substitute front person for the Manics if they were to ever go down that route? I think The Anchoress has been a good fit when she has worked with them and would be a good candidate.

A whole album with Nicky singing?

I'd be up for that!

Roddy Woomble

Ed Sheeran

Yes please, I'd love that!

Me too! Me too!

tenuous maybe, but...

https://www.theguardian.com/business...cing-balaclava

I mean... c'mon Nike, study the history of either the Manics or Top of the Pops (or both) and you wouldn't have had this issue in the first place... !

I heard People Give In in a pub that doesn't even have a jukebox last night. I think this is actually the first time I've heard anything from Resistance Is Futile in non-gig public.

Maybe we should all start singing...or maybe in many cases humming preferably....tunes from the album whilst going about our day to day?
People. Give in.

Got back from a Poetry. There was an audience member. Female! Skinny jeans! LEOPARD PRINT COAT!
So at the end I asked if she was a Manics fan?
"Nah..."

*Mash up of AC/DC's "Shot Down In Flames" and end theme from The Incredible Hulk

So Nicky's art exhibition opened today, looks interesting. Anyone planning to go? I'm planning to visit the exhibition in October but I didn't realise the pieces would be for sale until today. They'll probably all be sold before I get there :(

(Best of luck with the exhibition, Nicky!)