The quest to reclaim PFAYM

[Nature's Discontent]

Originally Posted by bachelorette

Seconded, there seems to be something very negative beyond mere sales that the band connects with Lifeblood.

You could say that the band all have a certain image that the 'Manic Street Preachers' need to fulfill, which the band (and the NME etc.) have constantly told us they returned to with SATT, after the 'fiasco' of Lifeblood. Also, there's the whole 'there are two sides to this band, the anthemic, poppy EMG-esque side and the visceral, angular THB-esque side' argument (which I agree - along with most people - is complete bollocks).

But I don't even see that that argument stands up anymore. RTF is such a unique, fresh-sounding record unlike anything they've ever done before, which fits its own niche and offers a further demonstration of what the band is capable of. If James, Sean and Nicky are all still rather cold towards Lifeblood then it's basically them just stubbornly sticking to their guns on how that record 'ruined the band' or 'didn't sound like the band'. They're just repeating what they've already said around the SATT/JFPL/PFAYM period, and despite RTF's release and its obvious departure from their commercial style, they're sticking to the 'party line' on Lifeblood. I don't think they genuinely think it's as bad a record as they claim it to be in the media, now they just seem to be reluctant to go back on their comments and say what they actually feel about it.

Course, I could be way off the mark with this one and they actually really do hate it with a passion