So how would you rank the singles from the album?
And how would you rank Brushstrokes of Reunion under or above their others?
I'll answer that myself tomorrow.
Edit: 94! THB era! Will the album get released before page 98 Truth?

phew!

Brushstrokes of Reunion - what a hook! My favourite single so far!

Think the snippet from email was maybe the demo version?

This bit is just beautiful:

I hadn't actually checked out the sample from the email, but yeah weird they released that version. I'm guessing that's the demo version from CD2. Kinda more interested in hearing that now with the sample.

Makes me think of the cure but couldn't tell you which song. Chorus could do with a stronger vocal track. Also sounds like Sean is out to prove something with that drum track.

So I just finished watching the DVD on the reissue of SATT. I loved watching the practise sessions and rehearsal footage, yeah the footage is poor quality, but it's a shame the band don't put out anything like this now, at least online. The best thing is the 'track by track' video and Sean is quiet as always but Nicky, wow, he clearly doesn't want to be there as he's messing with his shades, picking at his jacket, rubbing his head... maybe he was hungover badly haha. Wish we did have more visual stuff with recent albums but I guess sadly a lot of people don't bother with DVDs or Blu Rays now. Anyway, bring on the new album, I like the first two singles, third was very meh, not gonna bother with this new one so will wait for the album release and play the CD and vinyl endlessly all week :D

I don't know what to think of the new single. I like it and dislike it at the same time. There's horrible distortion on the vocals, the vocals themselves sound poorly doubled tracked in places. There's a weird edit where the vocals sound like they are punched in badly that sticks out like a sore thumb. The solo is weird (on the subject of weird JDB solos this has to be up there) and the song ends abruptly in a very odd place. It's grossly overproduced. I know I'll grow to love it but right now it's the weakest out of the four. The demo might have a lot more promise.

I'm quite feeling sad because I was looking forward to this one the most.

Haven’t heard the full version of BFR, but this would be my guess. Explains the chuga chuga acoustic intro of the snippet as well.

DIY mag interview has ‘Out of Time Revival’ as the other lyric penned by JDB.

I had one listen to the snippet and decided not to listen again, even to the proper release tomorrow. 3 songs is enough as a taster and I'm going to wait for the album now. But HIPS remains my favourite MSP single in years.

100% agree on everything. The weakest of the four, almost to the level of Decline & Fall.

Now I can go to sleep. Blasting it out would have helped but listened carefully with neighbour respecting low volume
Title chorus stuck in. Can see why it's not lead single material.
Will listen again in the morning. PRP,HIPS,BOR(?),D&F(?) question mark to represent either way.
Was 9 on the scale a few pages ago. The second cancelled release date knocked to 7.
This has gone back up to 8.
I like BoR more than Nixon but not Empty Souls
YLAINE better but BoR typing this reminds me of Heyday of the Blood b-side?
Misremembering and didn't hear properly on first listen. Trying tomorrow but an ok Manics single that doesn't reach the greatness of the last two singles.
And here's to the NEXT single to get released before the album!
If radio didn't playlist PRP then I'm not sure BoR has missed that goodwill?

Brushstrokes of Reunion video up on iTunes, centred around close-ups of James boxing (needed a higher bit-rate if I’m being critical, otherwise I found it quite impactful).

Opens with a Joe Calzaghe quote:
“I KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE FEAR. THE FEAR IS THERE, BUT I USE IT TO MOTIVATE ME”

https://s13.gifyu.com/images/b2bvO.jpg

I expect it’ll show up on YouTube soon.

Listened to it now, it’s not bad really, but…

Manics MUST get out of the echo chamber they’ve been in for the last 15 years.
Or that actually started to enclose them at SATT(but since it was the beginning of these tricks/tendencies it worked for me at SATT and PFAYM).
But since after RTF it has become so apparent it’s ridiculous.
A bunch of songs here and there have really impressed me still.
But so much they do is… just the same thing.
And it feels like that have a pro-tools template they use for every song/record. I think that’s what a lot people refers to as “over produced”, but I actually see it the opposite way.

That echo chamber is there all the same.

Had a few listens just now. It’s different musically which is good. It’s rather compressed to hell in terms of production. I know for the vocals that was intended but it does add to the whole ‘over produced’ argument. I do agree that the last few albums seem to have the same sound. It may be worth mixing it up and getting a guest producer in to get the band out of the comfort zone?

Brushstrokes of reunion video with boxing James!

https://youtu.be/kHZz14abQmU