Anyone else not bothered?

[Takk]

Originally Posted by Manicben

For the umpteenth time today, the single does not accurately represent the album at all.

Either way, I think that's a dumb approach. The only point of them releasing a single is to advertise the album, with the chart the way it is. If the single puts off existing fans, it seems a poor idea.

[tzb]

Whoever's picking their singles needs to be fired, now.

Saying that they're clearly pursuing a more MOR market with their singles these days. I suppose the logic is it's better to pick the Radio 2 single because it might actually get airplay on Radio 2, than the Radio 1 single Radio 1 would never play because of who the Manics are.

[Porco]

I think 30 Year War would be a number one single with the right promotion. All you need is a fraction of the people who hate the tories to buy it in protest, I think it articulates so much so perfectly.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Porco

Not for the single, no. Unless you count the radio promo CD that turned up on eBay.

The album will be, in the usual multiple versions though.

I shouldn't even be in this thread, I am most definitely bothered.

Seems to be the rock way about singles these days, Biffy have not released one CD single from Opposites. They have all followed the same vinyl/download format.

[AK47]

The next single is highly likely to be Anthem For A Lost Cause according Nicky after the gig last night. It makes sense as it sounds like a single. My choice would be 30 Year War and it really should be. I like Anthem but musically its too similar to a single like Postcards.

[tzb]

I don't know, I think AFALC is the best single choice on the album. Universal theme, big, catchy chorus... I'd love 30 Year War to be a single as well because of the statement it creates but they're not known for that these days. I still wish they'd put out Rendition/Imperial Bodybags as a double A-side rather than any of the actual SATT singles... except YLAINE which (controversially?) I think was their last great single.

[Marat Sar]

Very disappointed to hear 30YW is not the next single. They would be just as well off releasing Golden Platitudes or some other PFAYM track. Or re-releasing "Indian Summer". How well did that do, huh?

"Anthem" looks like a single, but thinking it actually is one is a grave misconception. People do not go for fucking melodies, it's not the sixties any more. 30YW has a distinct soundscape, the true calling card of single nowadays, and a god damn message to go with that. I'm not saying it's a hit, but it's got something. "Anthem" has nothing.

[nocultureicons]

30 Year War was my favourite after one listen.

[starstruck]

Originally Posted by tzb

s... except YLAINE which (controversially?) I think was their last great single.

yes to this, really. over the years it got a bit "sick of it" due to the overplay, but on release and at the time in retrospect it was a really good single in itsef.

just finished my first play of the album and i all of a sudden have a renewed sense of being bothered. this is an outstanding record.

for the debate on the go here, 30 Years War is an amazing song, but it is not single material and it certainly would not get radio play.

[allisvanity]

Originally Posted by starstruck

just finished my first play of the album and i all of a sudden have a renewed sense of being bothered. this is an outstanding record.

Same thoughts here, don't get some of the negative reactions but each to their own I guess.

People also told me it's not very immediate and would be a grower. I though it was pretty great first time, and I'm only going to love it more after repeated listens - I can tell!

[Dancing Kirby]

Originally Posted by Marat Sar

Very disappointed to hear 30YW is not the next single. They would be just as well off releasing Golden Platitudes or some other PFAYM track. Or re-releasing "Indian Summer". How well did that do, huh?

"Anthem" looks like a single, but thinking it actually is one is a grave misconception. People do not go for fucking melodies, it's not the sixties any more. 30YW has a distinct soundscape, the true calling card of single nowadays, and a god damn message to go with that. I'm not saying it's a hit, but it's got something. "Anthem" has nothing.

Agreed. Much like Some Kind Of Nothingness, Anthem For A Lost Cause reviews itself.

It's just about the worst track they could release as a single. They're still in this sorry state of delusion where they think that's what the public wants.

You'd think the recent chart placings would have told them that it's time to try a different market...

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

I think the majority of the public that still buy singles these days will always go for cheesy numbers, rather than songs that mean something. About 99% of the stuff in the charts is either cheesy or just plain shit, so it should fit in (although I don't think AFALC is a bad song at all).

They are missing a trick by not releasing 30YW but that's New Manics for you. Like New Labour they're too afraid to upset the applecart now. Nixon was the last time they came close to releasing anything controversial as a single.

[cameron33]

I don't think it really matters either way. So few people buy singles these days anyway - and even if 30YW did make it to the number 1 it's not the kind of astounding song necessary to actually change people's opinions/politicize a generation. They are preaching to the converted - and the seriously apolitical/not bothered.

As such, Anthem for A lost cause is much more fitting!

[Marat Sar]

Originally Posted by starstruck

for the debate on the go here, 30 Years War is an amazing song, but it is not single material and it certainly would not get radio play.

It is a very immediate rock-song with tremendous forward-motion, production values reminiscent of a Muse single (with it's rock-electronic tiddly-bit mixture), and you can fucking DANCE to it. Which is what pretty much all of the people I've demoed it to have done. Girls included. Also, the vocal melody is "logic-on-the-first-listen" glamrock.

It's also topical and a political song - not a lot of competition out there for these nowadays. I don't think this is even a transgressive or a "statement" kind of single like Nixon. It is THE obvious stand-out track with most energy and pure enjoyment in it. And a holy intro to go with it. It's an event song.

"Anthem" is exactly the boring Burt Baccharach/ABBA shit everyone is afraid they'll release.

[AK47]

Originally Posted by Marat Sar

"Anthem" is exactly the boring Burt Baccharach/ABBA shit everyone is afraid they'll release.

A trend they started with PFAYM or if we're going to be truly honest - YLAINE.

The manics simply won't release any edgier material for a single now. That's simply the way it is.