What choo talkin' 'bout, Wire?

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Radiomanic

Wouldn't call the vocal lazy at all, its a change from the usual vocal and really suits the song. It wouldn't have sounded right sung higher, that would've ruined it completely. Nobody slags off 'Love Torn Us Under' which is sung in a similar style (also a great song).

Perhaps because 'Love Torn Us Under' has a very intimate feeling to it, both musically and in the vocal delivery.

[Lauren Cinnamon]

Originally Posted by Richey83

TLORN doesn't bore me. I find it ridiculous. It's like a joke song. First time I heard that opening plodding synth beat, I burst out laughing. The vocal melody is also one of the laziest I've ever heard from the Manics. I just find the song comical in every respect.

This is exactly how I feel! The same goes for Miss Europa Disco Dancer. I wouldn't leave, I'd be too busy laughing and dancing, it's like a guilty pleasure.

[tzb]

It's not the singing style I take issue with (although it definitely ranks as one of JDB's most insincere deliveries, no passion at all which is the virtual opposite of LTUU), it's the appalling lyrics and sentiment, the ridiculous "bum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE" synth horror which is played out throughout and that hysterical hair-metal guitar solo. It really is such a terrible track, I was genuinely mortified when they released it. I think I stopped identifying as a Manics fan at that point, funnily enough.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by tzb

It's not the singing style I take issue with (although it definitely ranks as one of JDB's most insincere deliveries, no passion at all which is the virtual opposite of LTUU), it's the appalling lyrics and sentiment, the ridiculous "bum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE" synth horror which is played out throughout and that hysterical hair-metal guitar solo. It really is such a terrible track, I was genuinely mortified when they released it. I think I stopped identifying as a Manics fan at that point, funnily enough.

Well, yeah...the whole thing is pretty bloody atrocious but I find it comical. Another Manics song, that is equally atrocious, made me want to cry because it was so bad. Nothing comical about that one, no sir.

*cough*wattsvilleblues*cough*

[Mr Inconspicuous]

Originally Posted by tzb

It's not the singing style I take issue with (although it definitely ranks as one of JDB's most insincere deliveries, no passion at all which is the virtual opposite of LTUU), it's the appalling lyrics and sentiment, the ridiculous "bum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE" synth horror which is played out throughout and that hysterical hair-metal guitar solo. It really is such a terrible track, I was genuinely mortified when they released it. I think I stopped identifying as a Manics fan at that point, funnily enough.

Somebody -Jay? Whiterevolver?- compared it to a pervert shouting through your letterbox while playing a Casio keyboard.

[Lauren Cinnamon]

Originally Posted by tzb

It's not the singing style I take issue with (although it definitely ranks as one of JDB's most insincere deliveries, no passion at all which is the virtual opposite of LTUU), it's the appalling lyrics and sentiment, the ridiculous "bum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE-bumbum-SQUEE" synth horror which is played out throughout and that hysterical hair-metal guitar solo. It really is such a terrible track, I was genuinely mortified when they released it. I think I stopped identifying as a Manics fan at that point, funnily enough.

It probably is a lot easier to come across it years later - it's a lot easier to treat it as a 'mildly amusing aside to a band you love's discography', rather than "oh god I can't call myself a fan of theirs now, people will laugh".

[tzb]

As a student in my second year, my walls covered with Manics posters and memorabilia, imagine my horror

[Lauren Cinnamon]

Originally Posted by tzb

As a student in my second year, my walls covered with Manics posters and memorabilia, imagine my horror

[foundthatsoul]

Originally Posted by tzb

As a student in my second year, my walls covered with Manics posters and memorabilia, imagine my horror

Hahaha!

I remember before the winter tour trying to convince my casual Manics fan school mates who hadn't heard Lifeblood yet that it was actually really 'amazing'and the reviews "were talking shite."
I have no fucking idea what I was thinking. Nicky Wire must of brainwashed me or something.

[tzb]

Don't get me wrong, I do love 2/3s of Lifeblood. But the singles are part of the 1/3.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by tzb

Don't get me wrong, I do love 2/3s of Lifeblood. But the singles are part of the 1/3.

If ever a Manics album could've benefitted from the inclusion of b-sides over some of the chosen album tracks, it's Lifeblood.

1. 1985
2. Litany
3. A Song For Departure
4. Always/Never
5. Everyone Knows/Nobody Cares
6. Voodoo Polaroids
7. No Jubilees
8. Solitude Sometimes Is
9. Fragments
10. The Soulmates
11. Cardiff Afterlife
12. Askew Road

Yes, I do like 'Fragments' even though most people don't because of that lyric. I like the ambience of it. And 'Litany' is one of my all-time favourite Manics songs.

[foundthatsoul]

Aye, well in saying that I suppose I must admit I do love one twelfth of Lifeblood...

edit- a sixth!

[Takk]

Heh, the bsides to the lifeblood era are appalling, in general. I love lifeblood.

[tzb]

The b-sides of the lifeblood era are almost universally superior to half the actual album.

[River Boy]

All Alone Here and the Jap b-side Antarctica would, I think, have improved the album, but not the others - unless you can cheat and add FireFight and Picturesque.