Album 15

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

It's a pretty decent song but I don't even think it's his best Manics song. Wouldn't have been better with James singing it as it's very much a Wire song at its core. I can think of a few b-sides he's sung lead on that I much prefer.

Can't seem to find the album tracklisting on Apple Music even with my VPN on which is strange.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by IntlDebris

I don't think anyone's said they want them to sound like The Holy Bible again, have they?

No, nobody has said that and nobody fucking wants that. And saying anybody who doesn’t like what the band is doing now does want that is the argument of an apologist.

Originally Posted by IntlDebris

…something with the excitement, invention, restless creativity and occasional warts-and-all oddness of the Everything Must Go to Lifeblood era, echoed later in Rewind the Film and Futurology? That's what I'd like.

Precisely. Music that was intelligent, interesting, engaging, emotional and creatively vital. The thing that always defined Manic Street Preachers and the complete opposite of what these new songs represent.

[Europa Gluten Free]

Is this the song that Wayne's girlfriend is singing backing vocals on? Does that mean she'll be on Jools as well then?

[Europa Gluten Free]

My issue is that they seem to still be writing stuff that is STILL somewhat Radio 2 orientated.

I think it's fantastic that there is a Nicky song as a single - but don't try to produce it then like a AI Manics song with all the guitar and strings and woos and all that shit. I can see James and Eringa sitting until 2 in the morning adding this overdub and that overdub etc etc. If you are trying to do something different with a Nicky vocal then commit to something lo-fi and alternative and different.

I don't know - I think the two songs are incredibly uninspiring. Definitely on PFAYM and RTF level of blah-ness.

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Originally Posted by Bartek Wyre

I mean c'mon, it's 2024, the 80s nostalgia thing is a dead fad. The 90s and 00s seem to be all the rage now baby! And this only proves that the Manics have lost their touch with the zeitgeist they had back in their early days when they sounded like whatever was fashionable. Now they just sound unfashionable.

I don't think they've been considered fashionable for a very long time And have they ever really tried to emulate what was fashionable? Even during THB era they were out of step with most of their peers, so I wouldn't say that was anything new. The later '90s was a bit different obviously, but I don't think they intentionally set out to be a part of the whole Britpop era, it felt more like convenient timing that they were able to take advantage of to me. Plus, do we really need them rehashing that decade again? They've already done enough navel gazing and anniversary editions/tours as it is, even before everyone else was cashing in on the nostalgia.

I think their battle has always been with themselves rather than trying to latch onto popular trends. A lot of their eras have been reactions to previous ones and to themselves, with varying degrees of success. It often seems like they get too in their heads about what they think the Manics are supposed to sound like. I thought it was interesting in that recent Mojo interview James said something about having a sense of freedom now and hoping they could go into the next album with more of that (as in the one after Critical Thinking), as it made me think perhaps they hadn't felt that same freedom before.

Anyway, to the new song...I'm surprised they've gone with a Nicky-led track as a single and that it's the second single that's presumably going to be a large focus of their Jools Holland appearance, a new video starring the actual band and the album announcement tomorrow. Whereas Decline and Fall just got a basic lyric video as the lead single (although I have actually heard it on the radio a few times recently). It feels a bit back to front to me, but hey ho.

Can't really say I've formed a strong opinion on the song itself yet after just one listen, but I can't help but miss James' voice on it and think I would have preferred it to be a duet between them.

[Porco]

With his kind permission I have joined Son of Stopped on Manics Still Good Island. Not many of you seem interested in living here right now but hopefully one or two of you will feel like visiting again from time to time in the future.

[IntlDebris]

Oh I'd fucking love to live there. I'm a Resistance is Futile apologist, I think that album had some great songs and pushed the 'Manics-by-numbers' sound to its boundaries. But neither of these have done anything for me. I might actually be at the point of listening to it on Spotify before actually stumping up cash, which will be the first time I've not bought a Manics album on purchase day for many years. But I really, really hope that the rest of the album is better. I've not given up, I'll go in with the "this is one of my favourite bands, I hope I'll get something from this" mindset. But... it's not looking positive just yet.

[rosetree]

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

I shouldn't keep replying but I'm not enjoying trudging through Kafka's The Trial. Richey was not just a band member but a close friend who in one form or another ended their life. Not only do James, Nicky & Sean have to contend with losing a friend, they have also have to endure asking themselves what could've done differently that might have saved Richey from his demise. Every memory becomes an interrogation, a mirror telling you that you failed to prevent the obvious, when in reality people have control over the path they are walking down and ultimately responsible for themselves. Perhaps I'm talking more about myself here and using this in vain as therapy, but I'm not convinced this is miles away from how others might process these tragedies.

When I said that it's not a big deal I was meaning that the attention from him leaving is probably not what Richey wanted. It's obvious the band lost their friend and they respect him each time mentioning his name and writing in their songs, regardless if they feel it was their fault. As his friends they knew him quite well and in my opinion I think they have long accepted things as his choice a self autonomy and respect for his life, rather than attach blame. I wish the band could just continue to create more songs as they wish to without being brought down.

I really like the new videos, pictures and the new songs.

[Hans]

Originally Posted by Porco

With his kind permission I have joined Son of Stopped on Manics Still Good Island. Not many of you seem interested in living here right now but hopefully one or two of you will feel like visiting again from time to time in the future.

* applies for citizenship *

[Son of Stopped]

Originally Posted by Hans

* applies for citizenship *

You and anyone else! Just set your location to it and welcome free citizens of Manics Still Good Island!
EDIT: oh now I can post!
EDIT edit I'll hear it tomorrow

[savemejebus]

I'd love to be on Manics Still Good Island but I can't because I fell in love with the Manics because of their music and not because they're the Manics and my favourite band. If i'd piss on song when another band put it out it'd be hypocritical for me to not piss on a song just because it's the manics putting it out.

So to all those on Manics Still Good Island because ye really enjoy the music I'm super jealous of ye.

To anyone there just because it's the Manics....I'd hope there is noone there like that but I feel bad for ye.

[Porco]

Originally Posted by savemejebus

I'd love to be on Manics Still Good Island but I can't because I fell in love with the Manics because of their music and not because they're the Manics and my favourite band. If i'd piss on song when another band put it out it'd be hypocritical for me to not piss on a song just because it's the manics putting it out.

So to all those on Manics Still Good Island because ye really enjoy the music I'm super jealous of ye.

To anyone there just because it's the Manics....I'd hope there is noone there like that but I feel bad for ye.

You never know, they might make something you like again and you could hop onto Manics Sometimes Good Peninsula….

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by Porco

You never know, they might make something you like again and you could hop onto Manics Sometimes Good Peninsula….

It's why I keep listening and hoping from the good ship 'Selected Manics are Amazing'

[UEF]

Same old FD, never linking

https://open.spotify.com/track/5QGR8GjIITeiMgb3SDKETW

[Routine Builder]

The one time I'm out east when a manic singles comes online and I sleep through it, oh the irony.