|
|
#31
24-05-2013, 16:06
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Almost every single "demo" that is revealed is virtually identical to the final track, which is not a bad thing, just indicative of a band with a chief songwriter and one who quickly moves towards a finished structure. I've always felt that this "4 take" rule they applied to themselves during the KYE sessions is in actual fact, the way they do pretty much everything. Even the "first plays" of the EMG songs are only a tweak away from the arrangements on the final record. Either that or they still value the magic in the creation process, and that is why for example we haven't heard any of the 20 alternate versions of Faster for example, because in all likelihood they probably suck compared to the beast that is the final song. Those factors combined with the fact that there are so many other intriguing aspects to the band I think make the kind of in depth discussion of the songs, writing and how they are composed and arranged fairly difficult. I can think of other bands who have experimented much more with their music and as such this type of study could be done, but they might not be as interesting as people or have such depth to lyrics etc. I do still however very much enjoy reading these in depth "from a distance" reviews as they can shed new light or give a new face to content that is way past its sell by date.
__________________
“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” L.P. Hartley Last edited by darkanddivine; 24-05-2013 at 16:10. 
|
|
#32
24-05-2013, 18:32
|
||||
|
||||
|
Those are really good points, darkanddivine. It is remarkable how similar a lot of the demos are to the finished versions, and in fact even some "re-recordings" of songs barely change at all (like 'UK Channel Boredom' becoming 'Vision of Dead Desire'). It seems to be especially true of the more recent demos, like the ones from the last two albums - although sometimes it's a thrill to hear one instrument replaced with another or some subtle difference in inflection from JDB. Where the opportunity has arisen, I've pointed out some of those exciting differences (I love the Marcus demo of 'Natwest...', largely because of the really evil guitar tone) but there's not a whole lot to work with.
Obviously that leaves you with the songs themselves, as they stand, as the main thing to look at. The most interesting thing I've "discovered" in this process (it was new to me, anyway) is how 'Dead Passive' seems to me to be an attack of sorts on Kate Moss and Johnny Depp, accusing them of being less-than-sincere in their participation in the 1995 War Child charity compilation.
__________________
'Manic Street Preachers: A Critical Discography' Latest Track: [B162] 'Voodoo Polaroids' (31/01)
|
|
#33
24-05-2013, 20:12
|
||||
|
||||
|
RookUK - This is a great site! I love seeing newer Manics projects like this that have such passion, it makes me want to re-listen to the Manics discography all over again.
|
|
#34
24-05-2013, 21:45
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
#35
24-05-2013, 21:54
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Wouldn't mind a published lyric book either or a combination of the two maybe. They're always banging on about how important their lyrics are. I know they always include them with the albums but it'll be nice to have a book with the whole lot in with pics of the singles and album covers and explanations as to why they chose the cover art etc. edit: sorry for double posting..can't be arsed combining the two posts
|
|
#36
25-05-2013, 19:29
|
|||
|
|||
|
Nice to see analysis of less highly regarded songs, those at the tail end of This Is My Truth especially.
Regarding the piece about Of Walking Abortion, I always assumed "wash your car in your X baseball shoes" was a reference to the Malcolm X promotional merchandise that was popular around 1993. Maybe not, I dunno.
|
|
#37
25-05-2013, 19:36
|
||||
|
||||
|
Thank you RookUK. Your site is in my favourite's list now.
|
|
#38
25-05-2013, 21:18
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
'Manic Street Preachers: A Critical Discography' Latest Track: [B162] 'Voodoo Polaroids' (31/01)
|
|
#39
25-05-2013, 22:41
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
"Along with the ubiquitous ''X'' caps, T-shirts, and jackets, the products will reportedly include posters, key chains, wristwatches, buttons, drinking mugs, and refrigerator magnets." There's no way that combination of politics and commercialisation would have escaped the Manics attention in the early 90s. Last edited by roi; 25-05-2013 at 22:47.
|
|
#40
25-05-2013, 22:54
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
'Manic Street Preachers: A Critical Discography' Latest Track: [B162] 'Voodoo Polaroids' (31/01)
|
|
#41
26-05-2013, 12:26
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
''Malcolm X would probably support anything that tended to carry his message further. If his exposure on key chains and posters made his name and his thought more accessible to the world'' They MUST have mentioned this in an interview at some point.
|
|
#42
30-05-2013, 20:36
|
||||
|
||||
|
I've been toying with the idea of doing something like this (but I'd probably abandon it on Blurty when I got bored), so my geeky side is definitely going to enjoy reading through this.
Edit: Definitely agree with I'm Not Working. That one was a slow burner for me, but now I absolutely love it. Pretty unique, very atmospheric number. Last edited by Scarecrow; 30-05-2013 at 21:06.
|
|
#43
30-05-2013, 23:09
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
'Manic Street Preachers: A Critical Discography' Latest Track: [B162] 'Voodoo Polaroids' (31/01)
|
|
#44
30-05-2013, 23:12
|
|||
|
|||
|
Yep, count me in for the I'm Not Working love, was a definite grower. Brilliantly atmospheric track.
|
|
#45
31-05-2013, 17:16
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
"So I knew I had to do something with my life. I was terrified of living my whole life, and at the end looking at it and having blown it."
|
 |
|
|
Linear Mode
