not even a bad quality. thanks Sony

Oh, I've got that one :P

Would be interested to see overall sales of that, spread over last 19 years, wouldn't be surprised if it sold more in first 5 years than following 14 years with sales decline and whatnot. That's a point, do anniversary editions etc get included in sales for the album or does industry count Holy Bible, Holy Bible 10 and Holy Bible 20 as separate albums?

Thinking there probably will be an Everything Must Go 20, maybe they can finally put the whole Nynex gig together for it.

Same here - for all of the albums. That data is almost impossible to get hold of though, unfortunately.

The two new Spotify playlists they've put together aren't bad, although it's a little surprising the U.S. one is so heavily weighted towards grunge.

It's even more surprising that the Wire doesn't do more Spotify playlists, like at least five per day.

Listening to that Live at the O2 thing released a while ago, Wayne Murray sings 'Live to kill, kill for kicks' on Slash N' Burn. Repeatedly.

The end of Condemned to RnR reminds of the end of My Sharona...

Never heard Little Trolls. Want to. Where can I find it?

UK Ocean Spray single (cassette)
or
Know Your B-Sides CD (Japanese release)
or
Know Your Enemy 2CD (Mini LP-style) (2009 Japanese re-release)

Completely in love with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpGeznTUe00

I like it how the pronunciation of "Mayakovsky" differs in the demo version from its official track. Looks like the Manics do care about foreign languages after all. It all also fits the European concept of the album.

I got a new iPhone this week and suddenly all music sounds soooooo good. My ears are really taking a battering: I keep re-playing Slash 'n' Burn and GATS (track, not whole album) and Judge Yr'self. Also thinking about different interpretations of the phrase 'gold against the soul'. Yes, also aware of the tension between the themes of these songs and pleasure brought about by the purchase of consumer goods.

I always took that phrase to mean the struggle to stay true to one's self in the context of having to earn money i.e. how long can you last before you compromise your principles?

Absolutely killer! Love it! Thanks for brightening up my evening!! ;)

Are Mothers Saints? is better than Patrick Bateman for end guitar solo.

Just found this tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7vWCiPt_Nk

That festival in 1996 was my first 'contact' with Manics and the interview is with Much Music, the Canadian music channel, so I was really delighted to see this.

It includes clips from the show at Toronto's Opera House in 1992 - it is clear that Nicky was lying when he recalled, at the recent Toronto show, that there were only about four people there on that night (same banter every night in North America, maybe?). The video proves there was a full mosh pit in effect!