New JDB album?

[Red]

Love them both.

A triumph of art over commercial appeal.

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

I’ve only listened to the new songs a couple of times so far, but I quite like them. Very different and more experimental than the Manics’ recent stuff, which is no bad thing at all. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.

[MSPKYE]

Album listed as out on 14th August on this Korean website https://www.genie.co.kr/detail/albumInfo?axnm=81481654

[IrelandCalling4]

Loved both, the creativity of Bradders solo and within the Manics three decades in is inspirational.

Atmospheric, eerie, melancholic - Lifeblood traces and late 70s Bowie; fine counterpoint to the accessible though very high quality of RiF - cannot wait for the album.

[Europa Gluten Free]

Great to hear new stuff. And great to hear them not making a "career" album as each album has been since SATT.

Can't wait to hear more! And buy the album!

[Suicide Aldi]

Originally Posted by everlasting

Watched the video... I guess I will grow to like it like I do most new Manics stuff, but it doesn't seem like lead single material at all, I just felt underwhelmed and bored to be honest on first listen. I guess I liked the sombre tone, but the chorus really had nothing whatsoever, it feels a bit like a throwaway album track, but I know after multiple forced listens I will 'get it', but most people wouldn't give it a second listen.

At this point anything the manics do is just mostly playing to an established audience anyway, especially a solo record. The only people who are probably going to be interested are existing fans, or maybe people who hear about it and think it sounds like an interesting project. For both of those sets of people it makes sense to give them somthing a little bit more interesting than the typical "lead single" type of song.

[Glyn]

Originally Posted by Suicide Aldi

At this point anything the manics do is just mostly playing to an established audience anyway, especially a solo record. The only people who are probably going to be interested are existing fans, or maybe people who hear about it and think it sounds like an interesting project. For both of those sets of people it makes sense to give them somthing a little bit more interesting than the typical "lead single" type of song.

Also there is very little about this project to suggest it's a commercial one (both Patrick Jones' involvement and the niche subject matter suggest it's just what JDB wants to do, rather than a rather shallow money making exercise *cough GATS reissue* ). It all has a rather 'solo Gruff Rhys project' feel to it and the instrumental reminded me of Public Service Broadcasting at times so I'm very happy !

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

Great to hear new stuff. And great to hear them not making a "career" album as each album has been since SATT.

Mate, this isn’t a Manics album.

[Porco]

Originally Posted by Mr Richey

Mate, this isn’t a Manics album.

Right, but it is a Manic’s album. The eternal importance of the apostrophe (how very Manics (no apostrophe))!

[Son of Stopped]

Well if still cold after hearing Searching For The Room With The Three Windows, then fair enough. But damn!
Maybe it'll grow on you? August can't come quickly enough for me.

Nicky, please keep your solo album until next year please. Let James have his moment.

[hummingbird]

Originally Posted by Glyn

Also there is very little about this project to suggest it's a commercial one (both Patrick Jones' involvement and the niche subject matter suggest it's just what JDB wants to do, rather than a rather shallow money making exercise *cough GATS reissue* ). It all has a rather 'solo Gruff Rhys project' feel to it and the instrumental reminded me of Public Service Broadcasting at times so I'm very happy !

Didn't he play it down at the poetry thing he did? That there wouldn't be a tour or anything so no one get excited ?

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Suicide Aldi

At this point anything the manics do is just mostly playing to an established audience anyway, especially a solo record. The only people who are probably going to be interested are existing fans, or maybe people who hear about it and think it sounds like an interesting project. For both of those sets of people it makes sense to give them somthing a little bit more interesting than the typical "lead single" type of song.

I see this as a good thing, i remember the criticism of postcards and the PR of "one last shot at mass communication" because it sounded desperate and forced to the eventual detriment of the album. I welcome more passion projects and not trying to make stuff they think people want but what they want, the comparison to gruff's solo stuff is a good shout (american interior).

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Originally Posted by hummingbird

Didn't he play it down at the poetry thing he did? That there wouldn't be a tour or anything so no one get excited ?

Yeah, he was quite emphatic in saying no when asked at that event if he was going to tour it

Given what was in that NME article yesterday and what we know of James already, I think this is a passion project for him as he’s a workaholic and he wanted to give Nicky and Sean a break before the next Manics album. So I think he’ll be fully aware and ok with the fact it's mostly going to be existing Manics fans who are interested in it.

[hummingbird]

Originally Posted by Abstract Unknown Girl

Yeah, he was quite emphatic in saying no when asked at that event if he was going to tour it

Given what was in that NME article yesterday and what we know of James already, I think this is a passion project for him as he’s a workaholic and he wanted to give Nicky and Sean a break before the next Manics album. So I think he’ll be fully aware and ok with the fact it's mostly going to be existing Manics fans who are interested in it.

I'm very bloody interested after hearing these 2 songs. Squeee

[rosetree]

I like that James is experimenting with different writing and instruments, but the first song makes me feel quite sad, that I probably wouldn't listen to it so much, even though there's a story attached. The instrumental seems more positive and upbeat and I'm sure the album will be interesting. Maybe if he then writes a musical.