Lifeblood reissue announced

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by Marat Sar

Yeah, they never figured out how to play Lifeblood tracks live. It doesn't work with James' role in the band live. That's also the main reason, I think, why they started viewing it as a dead end creatively. They should have turned into a knob-twiddling extravaganza live (like Radiohead) to follow that path live and that's just not the Manics.

Yea, and there was a discussion here back then about the band using backing tracks live. I think the best solution would be if they stripped down the arrangements to a 4/5-piece and just played the LB songs like that, with a more minimalistic and rockist approach. I mean, between the late 80s and mid 00s they changed their sound like 10 times and they had to accommodate songs from each era into their live setlists, so I honestly see no problem there.

[Routine Builder]

I think it's also the fact they lost the backing tracks. SSI sounds like a tinny mess when they pull it out which is disappointing considering I waited 15 years to hear it again.

[Son of Stopped]

Another page! Have listened to Lifeblood again. All the way through. My stereo unit is a cheap boombox with unfathomable radio channels.
It sounded great. Nothing skipped. Not digging out my CD singles however. I can wait a few more months. Glad Lifeblood still standing up.

EDIT: I thought the festival slots last year were peak form and would love a full Isle of Wight/Glastonbury Letterboxes n'all!

[sitdown1985]

Went with the CD Book + T-Shirt option. Never know what size T to get. I'm 5'11 with a 36 inch chest. Sometimes small. Sometimes medium. *shrug*

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Marat Sar

Yeah, they never figured out how to play Lifeblood tracks live. It doesn't work with James' role in the band live.

That would probably explain why I saw them play versions of 1985 and SSI that were a lot more guitar heavy years after the original tour.

[Son of Stopped]

At 10am today a reedited version of A Song Fo Departure live video. Probably again from last year's set.

[Son of Stopped]

https://youtu.be/TUGZY-L7e8o?si=qaHLhC_91FHaSQoj

Not watched yet. Just shared link.

[Europa Gluten Free]

It's fine I suppose. Not the greatest performance but glad they made the video.

Call me a cork sniffer, but I do think it's missing a bit of something not being played on the Les Paul Custom. The guitar sound is a bit drier and lacks a bit of sheen.

[UEF]

Nice solo on that

Always thought the Jools Holland performance of that song back when it came out was good

[Son of Stopped]

EDIT: IT WOULD (how long did I leave it like that? S'yrsmartphone fingers) be great if video or audio got released on YouTube in the run up to April. I suppose the nonHD video format used by TV in them days appears weird digitally remastered.
It could be 2004 IoW wasn't filmed? Be a good Greek philosopher and link me any professionally shot Isle of Wight 2004 festival footage!
I think we're owed a "Manics Steet Preachers with Jools..." BBC Four compilation.

[UEF]

Originally Posted by Son of Stopped

It could be 2004 IoW wasn't filmed? Be a good Greek philosopher and link me any professionally shot Isle of Wight 2004 festival footage!

At least some of it was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwUfMJktU2k

[Suicide Aldi]

Originally Posted by UEF

At least some of it was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwUfMJktU2k

Haha id forgotten all about the electric soft parade. Fuck me they were shit.

[Europa Gluten Free]

Originally Posted by UEF

At least some of it was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwUfMJktU2k

Again, it sounds so different when it's not a Les Paul Custom. In this case, the Les Paul Standard is too round a tone and doesn't cut through right.

The Eastman as a LP Custom substitute is much better.

I'm getting off my tone wanker soapbox now.

[Lee]

I wonder why To Repel Ghosts (live session) has been left off CD3. It’s really, really annoying.

[Donkey]

Originally Posted by Suicide Aldi

Am I the only one who thinks it sounds shit?

Of course you are not.

I watched 1985 and ASFD and I must repeat once more again: I still consider James@1993 a great singer. But watching these videos is embarassing. I said some time ago that we were close to the point that I could sing the songs better and I am really afraid that I sang ASFD better a few days ago at home. And I am not a good singer.

And there is no energy in the songs at all. Probably mainly because of playing to a click track.