Album 14

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by Porco

Not liking something doesn’t equal some imagined objective truth that it was down to lack of effort either though.

That is true. Most things i say/post are purely subjective. Liking something is no gauge of effort or even quality.

However, comparing past output and activity with current output and activity can be used as a useful tool for this.

Quality of Nickys lyrics then vs Nickys lyrics now.
James vocals then vs James vocals now.
James stage activity then vs James stage actvity now.

I'd even through in quality of solo effort(s) - James definitely, Nickys is still tbc - vs quality of Manics output now.

There is a lack of investment and a lack of effort in the songs i've heard from this record. Maybe the others will astound and amaze me and make me feel different but i'm well past the point of apologising for my favourite band's shite output these days and trying to pretend they mean something anymore.

[UEF]

Originally Posted by starfucker

I really wanted to like this album, and after hearing Orwellian and TSHHM my initial thoughts were that it wasn't going to be immediate or full of catchy bangers. I was prepared to put the homework in and try to like it, and I will persevere. Hopefully something will click, but for now I'm pretty underwhelmed.

This is exactly how I feel - nothing (other than the two big singles) is sticking. Sometimes with MSP that means they're huge growers (rather than showers ) and that it just needs more time.

[Manic Steve Preacher]

Originally Posted by savemejebus

They could even cut costs by, oh I dunno, not dragging superfluous musicians around.

If this means they can be back to having just Wayne as rhythm guitar and not have 3 guitarists like the RIF tour then I’m down with that. There isn’t enough going on to warrant three different guitar layers with a keyboard, as well as pre-recorded backing vocals, synths and percussion on the newer songs!

[WILKA]

Well after being underwhelmed a little by the singles I have to say the album overall is a pretty nice surprise. I really enjoyed it on first listen.

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by Manic Steve Preacher

If this means they can be back to having just Wayne as rhythm guitar ...

They could do with losing him tbh. He brings nothing good to the show and at worst enables JDBs laziness.

[UEF]

The MSP live sound is best when it’s the 3 main members plus a keyboard, or sometimes with no keyboard at all. Keeps it more garage-y and fun.

[Routine Builder]

Looking the recent videos, it seems that Gavin (I think he just released his own record this year) has left, so we're back down to 5 members live. At this point I would just be happy if they took Wayne's mike away. Never understood why his backing vocals are so high in the mix.

Back to TUVL, other than the singles and Complicated Illusions, I'm not really sure how this album will come off live. I'll hope for the best..

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Originally Posted by Suicide Aldi

Haha everyone on Forever Delayed basically hates the manics, so I wouldnt worry.

This myth has always made me laugh, as if no Manics fans that post on other platforms ever have anything negative to say about the band Christ compared to Twitter and Facebook (in general I mean now), FD seems tame.

[Lee]

New song released before Friday?

https://twitter.com/kierboyo/status/...327980544?s=21

[everlasting]

Originally Posted by Lee

New song released before Friday?

https://twitter.com/kierboyo/status/...327980544?s=21

Definitely yet another crap video coming soon no doubt. I did like the last video for the secret he had missed, and watch it every now and then.

[UEF]

Please be another “hands in pockets doing nothing” video... or the band playing to an empty room

[Son of Stopped]

So... Into The Waves Of Love? Any other offers?

[beautifuldistortion]

Said it before but Kieran's videos are boring.
Art doesn't have to be boring.

Low budget doesn't have to be crap.

[Porco]

Also watching videos you find boring isn’t compulsory, so that’s good.

[Marat Sar]

Why so negative around here? It's a drop dead AMAZING album. Competes with Futurology for "best Manics album since Lifeblood". Think people have a problem with high concept manics stuff, high concept stuff in general. This is a brutalism / late 70s early 80s album. It's rare and beautiful.

Same sitch as Lifeblood all over again. Whenever they make something aesthetically distinct it takes time for people to get it. And some never do.

Anyway. I think it's incredible. Not one song is a total miss. Some drop dead supersongs: Afterending, Sapporo, The Secret He Had Missed. The opening three is such a rush, the best opening since Lifeblood definitely. These just FIT together, making each other stronger. Orwellian is kinda stupid outside this composition, here it makes a lot of sense. The Orwell metaphor is part of the 70s theme of it in general. I could go on for hours and hours about how this references different deep cuts in their career. Blank Diary Entry's a little like Holy Bible b-sides. Many of these are like Miss Europa Disco Dancer. Sapporo is like 1985 and Everlasting. I hear hints of KYE era b-sides too. Sonic landscapes in Bored Happy Alone are like TIMTTMY ending songs. Even similarities to SYMM in there.

Oh and JDB sounds huuuge. This is the first manics album in ages to focus on his voice like this. Diapause has an incredible vocal effect. The reverb is nice, evocative stuff. Drums are a little smaller in the mix than usual, sure, but it fits with this kind of style. And leaves room for the other instruments to breathe.

Anyway. It's great. Even Don't Let The Night Divide us isn't as dank as I feared.

Does anyone know about japanese edition and bonus songs there? I need more of this stuff.