Album 15

[Tish]

Originally Posted by Oh Nick...!

Is it possible that this is just a song left over from TUVL, which they thought was too good to waste given the success of that album, and the new album will be completely different?

Possibly, it looks like there is going to be a few months between the release of the single and the album which suggests they may not be that connected. D&F sounds a lot like Orwellian, which I always thought didn't really fit in with the rest of TUVL, it sounded like it had been written right at the end to try and put something a bit more radio friendly on the album. Maybe D&F is the same? A big single to keep the band in the public eye before a less radio friendly album.

[rosetree]

Originally Posted by savemejebus

Their sound isn't distinct (anymore), James voice may be distinct, but their sound is whoever they've decided to be 'inspired by'. Granted it's not as bad as the Sculpture of a Man and Hazelton Avenue days but they aren't bringing anything new or distinct to the table these days

Well it's not a new thing for them to be inspired by others, they still have their own sound and TUVL, RIF, F are distinct. I play more of some tracks than others, but I dont see a problem in the experimentation, though I guess they're not going to please everyone. Maybe other bands who are influenced by the Manics would they be ok to cover songs they're inspired by, or write a solo album with inspiration for Victor Jara, in between a studio album or actually write for other genres, rather than just be established to stay the same as they are known.

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by rosetree

... they still have their own sound ...

Yeah, no, not really I mean, they have some really awesome songs, sure, but like I've said, they never developed their signature sound. They always sounded like whatever was in vogue at a given era, and sure, it's understandable, as they always wanted to reach the wider audience with their socialist manifestos (hence the last shot(s) at mass communication). But still, to say they have their own sound is a gross overstatement.

Originally Posted by rosetree

Maybe other bands who are influenced by the Manics ...

Are there any?

[Routine Builder]

Originally Posted by Bartek Wyre

But still, to say they have their own sound is a gross overstatement.

I would say the closest is from EMG to TIMT with Mike Hedges, that's the sound they're trying to emulate with Decline and Fall. The problem is they try to go bombastic with a low case 'b' which sort of defeats the point.

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

I would say the closest is from EMG to TIMT with Mike Hedges

I'd say that's definitely the most consistent sound between any two albums they've released so far.

[savemejebus]

I've just heard Mamma Mia on the radio and now my brain won't stop trying to compare parts of it to Decline and Fall but I'm not going to reward that shite with another play/stream or whatever they get from youtube to check. Bloody Wednesdays

[*Found That Soul*]

I’ll give it an extra listen to make up for shortfall

[rosetree]

Originally Posted by Bartek Wyre

to say they have their own sound is a gross overstatement.....

Look at the way James places lyrics into their music. It's not just his voice. It's a natural for him to do. Maybe it's a Welsh thing, look at the poets Dylan Thomas, Caitlin Macnamara, Roald Dahl, Patrick Jones. Actually the Manics have probably taken more inspiration from literature and politics than from another bands music. Look at their instruments and how they are played. Really. And I mean exploring different genres that's so unusual... a few resembling chords or even a piano... Good god.
Actually I don't come here to slate the Manics. If you don't like a song why try to belittle their skills... really, It's all a matter of choice.

[savemejebus]

Please don't on my account,I have a strict 'no rewarding complacency policy'. I listened to RTF on TIDAL as a palate clenser so they still get some stream income.

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by rosetree

Actually the Manics have probably taken more inspiration from literature and politics than from another bands music. Look at their instruments and how they are played. Really. And I mean exploring different genres that's so unusual... a few resembling chords or even a piano...

I hate to break this to you but no, just a few off the top of my head

For example - if you tolerate this

or this one - Hazelton avenue

or this one - Motor Cycle Emptiness

Or this - Journal for plague lovers

This might be the most blatant - Sculpture of a Man

There used to be an entire multi page thread on the bits the manics cribbed.

Also, you won't get people criticising James skill, he's an amazing guitarist and singer. If you were ever lucky enough to see them as without an extra guitarist you'd be amazed. I remember one of the fanzines had a quote 'the fastest guitarist this side of Richie Blackmore'. I will however criticise the fuck out of how he phones it in these days with the support of a 2nd guitarist and how everything he sings just seems to be his 'manics by numbers' voice.

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by rosetree

If you don't like a song why try to belittle their skills...

Dunno if you're accusing me directly, but I'm not belittling their skills as musicians! Quite the opposite. I'm just disappointed at their lazy songwriting and desperate attempts to stay in the UK Top 10 as of late. They've proven they can write beautiful and interesting (although not too original sound-wise ) music on numerous occasions. It's just that so much of their potential is going to waste these days... I've been a dedicated fan for like 3/4 of my life and I just expect more of them.

[IntlDebris]

Originally Posted by rosetree

If you don't like a song why try to belittle their skills... really, It's all a matter of choice.

It's a case of knowing they can do better. If a band put out subpar material and the people who don't like it shut up, then the only response they get is positive - which gives them less impetus to put out good material. It's part of being a fan to hold the band to certain standards.

[Son of Stopped]

Manics born of woman has a short time to live and everything is a compromise intending to please and forgive!
Either I won't have a next time or we won't get a next time. So come on! Yeah, I'm in the half listening then watching something else phase of Decline & Fall. At least this opens a period of getting back into Decline & Fall in the future.
It's only Manic Street Preachers now, but I like it!
Yes, I have demonstrably proved I've done.

[Glyn]

Originally Posted by savemejebus

I hate to break this to you but no, just a few off the top of my head

There used to be an entire multi page thread on the bits the manics cribbed.

Not to derail the the thread but the one that makes me laugh the most is that whenever JDB tells the 'I tried to write Faster 12 times' story he leaves out 'and then I thought, sod it why not just re-do Comfort Comes with the intro of From Out of Nowhere'
https://youtu.be/j4tsGWdarHc?feature=shared

I have friends who have said that all Manics songs sound the same to them and I guess some of that is the difference between being a fan and being indifferent, but they definitely have a point with most of the singles. Decline and Fall reminded me of the disappointment I had when I first heard 'Its Not War'. That felt like a very transparent attempt to recreate previous singles ,and that set the tone for Postcards. I'm hoping though that Wire's comments about the new album lacking a central theme means that it isn't fully representative

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by Glyn

Not to derail the the thread but the one that makes me laugh the most is that whenever JDB tells the 'I tried to write Faster 12 times' story he leaves out 'and then I thought, sod it why not just re-do Comfort Comes with the intro of From Out of Nowhere'

I think I remember an interview with Sean where he pretty much flat out said it was the inspiration. I remember a compliation album from '95 called Rocks Off which actually had Faster followed by From Out of Nowhere in the track listing which made the similar intros jump out at ya.