Random Manics thoughts...

[Marat Sar]

I finally *got* Journal For Plague Lovers last year, one night. Just put it on, listened through it and understood. After ten years of being puzzled by its lyrics, compositions, mood and most of all, its popularity among fans. It's not in my top five, or even seven, but I get it now. For me -- it's 100% all about the concept and almost 0% music. It's a truly strange collection of short tunes -- a between-albums lyricist's scrapbook, set to strange, short pieces of rock music that flow into one another. It's half-formed, dark, funny, at times cold like metal, stuck to your tongue in the dead of winter.

And, it really can't be understated -- the man who's notes we're hearing became one of the biggest unsolved disappearances of all time. I mean, c'mon it's Britain, how big is it? How is it possible to *vanish* here?! Anyway, this is the manics at their weirdest. It's perhaps even more unsettling than The Holy Bible in a way. It's just ungainly at times. The lumbering off rhythm of Doors Closing Slowly, the nonsensical bonhomie of Jackie Collins.

These aren't top notch Richie lyrics in any way, they truly have all the signs of a lyricist transitioning from one topic to another. But they're still very, very interesting. Truly unlike anything else.

My opinion on it is pretty much the same as James'. I saw an article where he ranked manics albums and put it in the lower half, saying the idea was more important than the music that time. I almost never agree with them on their own work, but this time I do.

Also, it's really, really critique-proof work. What can anyone say against something so unique and idiosyncratic?