What Do You Think Of The New Single

[Tidus]

Originally Posted by Dancing Kirby

Smacks of James recycling Emigre to me.

Combined with there by the grace of god maybe...if we're doing this!

As for people bemoaning the lack of an interesting middle 8, this may well be a "radio edit" for all we know.

[sculptureofabloke]

I voted "it's great", but I thought that before i heard it.. Got a feeling a few people decided it's lazy before they heard it, too. FMFs...

[Flint]

I really don't get the TBTGOG comparisons.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Cam

Manics.by.numbers.

I was in the chippy last night and the radio was on for the top 10 singles countdown. Everything on it sounded the same. It was just awful to hear how bad pop music has become. I want pop music to sound vital, full of life and energy. Whilst far from amazing, "(It's Not War) Just The End Of Love" has life and energy in it and a great pop chorus that has stuck in my head already after only a few listens. Manics by numbers, then, is a damn sight better than anything else I've heard in the pop charts lately.

Is that justification? No. It's just an observation.

I wouldn't call "You Stole The Sun From My Heart" a mediocre song. I'd call it a good pop/rock song, a 3 stars out of 5 song. That's how I rate the new single.

[Lucie]

Personally there isn't one thing in the song that I don't like.

[Tidus]

Originally Posted by Flint

I really don't get the TBTGOG comparisons.

Only the guitar, the end of each chorus is (different chords) the same progression type, it also has a very similar part in the chorus as well.

Only small bits, but there we go!

[Lindseyn]

It's a massive pile of meh...... and the tune reminds me a bit of "I'm throwing my arms around Paris" by Morrissey" (that's not a criticism, just something I've noticed )

[Scout Finch]

Why does Nicky have to sing? Stop it, Nicky.

[jarvizcocker]

Originally Posted by Tidus

Maybe they just can't match your inflated expectations?

they can, that's the thing. i love the hell out of jfpl. i love lifeblood too for that matter. both albums seem sincere.

it seems like with both SATT and this album that they are choosing to be mediocre - with both the song structure and the lyrics. and it seems like they've deluded themselves into thinking that this style of blah chords and repetitions makes it a GRAND HEARTFELT song whereas it just makes it seem like a like a pompous by-the-numbers failed attempt at writing something epic.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Richey83

I was in the chippy last night and the radio was on for the top 10 singles countdown. Everything on it sounded the same. It was just awful to hear how bad pop music has become. I want pop music to sound vital, full of life and energy. Whilst far from amazing, "(It's Not War) Just The End Of Love" has life and energy in it and a great pop chorus that has stuck in my head already after only a few listens. Manics by numbers, then, is a damn sight better than anything else I've heard in the pop charts lately.

No one's disputing that. Actually, I was ready to counter your argument, but no rational human being could defend any of these songs. Although I guess they just represent the irrelevance of the charts nowadays. All that list needs now is a nice M.O.R. band with a catchy but hollow tune... hmmm.

[Scarecrow]

Got up early, stuck it on my iPod, went back to bed for a bit and listened to it a few times. Got up a while later and it was stuck in my head when I had a shower. Sure sign of a good song. Uplifting and great strings, I really like it. Gagging for the album.

Originally Posted by Richey83

NOTE: This is a radio rip, so anyone making comments on the production is a buerk. It's not a clear representation of the mix.

Good point. I listened to Peeled Apples a bunch of times when it got played on the radio, so when I finally heard the album properly, I was impressed by how much it roared out of my speakers.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Cam

Although I guess they just represent the irrelevance of the charts nowadays.

Never was a truer word spoken, my friend.

[Tidus]

Honestly, I wonder sometimes if people ever listen to older manics songs anymore!

Blah chords and repetitions? You have heard the manics before right? They're are verse/chorus/verse as they come!

[Dancing Kirby]

Originally Posted by Tidus

Combined with there by the grace of god maybe...if we're doing this!

As for people bemoaning the lack of an interesting middle 8, this may well be a "radio edit" for all we know.

We can but dream. They haven't had a radio edit since they couldn't fit twenty singles on Forever Delayed without butchering them. Now James saves time by butchering them all at the writing stage. Even the album tracks. If PFAYM's final track isn't over six minutes long and doesn't have a solo longer than Condemned to Rock 'N' Roll's, I'm throwing the mother of all tantrums.

With all that being said, I do hope James recycles Still A Long Way To Go for the next single.

[Alan Noir]

I think they've still got it in them, but this is playing it safe. Repeating a formula that has worked commercially before can only last so long.