The Manics and John Cale

[Phil C]

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

Can't say I particularly like what I've heard of M:FANS. The original was so desolate and cold whereas M:FANS sounds bright and noisy....

The original was desolate and cold...and lacking in anything even approaching a tune. I mean, I like desolation ('The Holy Bible' is my favourite album) but original album is a bit a trial to listen to. Actually, it isn't M:FANS that shows it up but the acoustic demos of 'Chinese Envoy' and 'Thoughtless Kind' which are included as extras at the end of the 'Music' re-issue - they're both much better than anything on the album itself (and much better sung too).

'M:FANS' really has to be thought of as a totally different album to 'Music For A New Society' - it's more of a follow-up to 'Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood'. Several of the songs only really have the lyrics in common ('Close Watch' for example). I wouldn't call it 'bright' incidentally, it's mostly dirty and glitchy - and catchy too. I suppose the gospel version of 'If You Were Still Around' is pretty bright, but it's also beautiful that it makes both of the other studio versions utterly obsolete. The closing triumvirate of 'Close Watch', 'If You Were Still Around' and the previously unreleased 'Back To The End' justify the album on their own for me.