Album 15

[IrelandCalling4]

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

Ironically they were put up by the Official Manics YouTube channel so seemed a bit odd.

The band will upload them at some point; until then I wait until Tuesday to hear them once CD arrives

[darkanddivine]

So initially...

Critial Thinking: Really interesting. Obviously Nick's vocals take things in a certain direction, so it's defined a lot by that. A bit of an overall statement for the album, but it works well in a modern angular Manics way. The lyrics are the star of the show obviously.

Decline & Fall: You can have a go at this for being Manics by numbers, but as I mentioned in my initial comment, I think it's easy to underrate how tricky this is to pull off. I think it's a really solid classic Manics tune, so I'm on board with this sitting alongside International Blue and others.

Brushstrokes of Reunion: I didn't quite gel with this one at first. Starting to hear maybe a few of the tones from Lifeblood and Trush blending in here. With more listens it feels a lot stronger, and this is the one that sits in my head most of all, so that says a lot.

Hiding in Plain Sight. This cashes in on the promise of some of Nick's earlier songs. His delivery of the words about looking back as his former self really make it personal. Nice tune too.

People Ruin Paintings: My fav on the record. The lyrics are typically opinionated and the music is just really nicely put together; it just sounds like the Manics being effortless (in the best possible way).

Dear Stephen: I think somehow this one just about hits home. Part of me things it's maybe because some of the lyrics don't sit well as I thought, but also because I don't have the same connection to Moz. It might because it's so confessional, or it might be the way the chorus just lilts in the background, but all those factors keep it strong.

Being Baptised: Strong TIMT vibes in the chords here. Maybe it isn't quite as melodically catchy as the first 6 tunes?

My Brave Friend: Another in their line of ballads (ala: Complicated Illusions.) I think it's easy to overlook these but it's really hard to write good ones, so I think this hits the spot in a similar way. A really strong anthemic pillar of the record.

Out of time Revival: Bit of a nod to Futurology style here. The chorus really lifts the verses up. Solid stuff.

Deleted Scenes: It's got that sortof 80s indie vibe to it, but the rhythm reminds me of Black Dog on My Shoulder. Nice lyrics, but somehowe the verse feels a tad stronger than the chorus.

Late Day Peaks: Need more time with this one. Feel it's a bit like Deleted Scenes in that the chorus is decent but the rhythm and interest of the verse is the main draw to it.

OneManMilita: I think this is actually really good. What's most interesting is how Nick and James start to come together in the vocals. The instrumental is fantastic, and I almost wish James would come in on a final chorus to make it both him and Nick seeing out the album. But it's a strong closer.

Overall I really like the confessional nature of the words; it feels like we're heading into some territories the band haven't been into before. And for that alone, while it tails off a bit as the album goes on, I do feel it's a more consistent album. In comparison to TUVL and RiF this feels more consistent and put together. Those records had brilliant peaks and moments to come back to but maybe didn't sit as a whole. This has both the peaks and a red line running through it that makes it play nicely together as a record - and it feels like it's more likely to grow as time goes on. It's funny in a way that if this is the one they had no MO for; it actually feels a bit more cohesive. I like it, and the buzz around the band; it's just nice to see them enjoying it again.

Side note: There's also an extra poignant moment with Dear Stephen where they're referring to the warmth of being 12-18/16-22; yet there will be a large percentage of people of in the audience for the upcoming tour having that exact same experience with the manics. It's got a meaning for the band, but the band playing it can also have a really emotive effect on people looking at them at the same time.

[James]

I was finding it hard to get into, but yesterday evening I started to read the lyrics while I was listening and somehow that’s started to unlock the album for me. Growing on me substantially now. People Ruin Paintings the favourite so far though.

[Routine Builder]

Probably worth saying but the lyrics definitely feel a step above the two most recent albums. Some great lines in there that resonate even if the whole lyric doesn't land (looking at you Dear Stephen).

[Son of Stopped]

Warmer weather end of the week! This is good because despite playing the album three times yesterday. I couldn't today. Too loud and hard to make certain frequencies out. It'll be better to hear in warmer conditions.
Seriously, I remember liking some songs but off the top of my head and in this silence. I couldn't tell you how any of it goes.
Release the next album in the summer!

[tomd2103]

Bought it today after watching the videos the past couple of months, so have had a chance to listen to the album in full a couple of times.

I like the musical element of the opening track, but I'm just not a fan of spoken word songs and would have probably rather it just be an instrumental with the chant like chorus really, but I guess it's something a bit different.

Then there's the block of songs that have already been released which I've enjoyed listening to over the past few months. Having done that though, it's a bit strange to hear them all together on an album. Really like Deleted Scenes, but just not really getting that much from the rest of the album just yet. There just seems a bit of a lull in the middle part, which needs a bit of energy injecting into it.

It might change, but at the moment I'm not sure I could see any of these songs being on a set list in a couple of years time to be honest. In fact, I can't really see anything from the last three albums making it (although for me International Blue should be a staple!).

[Europa Gluten Free]

any new signed tat?

[*Found That Soul*]

They seem to be holding strong in the number 1 position on ITunes - when do we get a chart update nowadays?

[scott_laconia]

I have listened the album again a few times over the weekend and I have to say it sounds glorious in the car.....

[ForeverDelayed.com]

I’ve been listening to it beginning to end - non stop. I want to say this is great. People ruin paintings in the best. I agree with many, second half of album is lush. Brushstrokes the only one I’m not crazy about. Love the wire tracks. Everything is so damn good.

[Jayseph]

Having now listened to the demos, my feeling is that there’s a really good collection of songs there, but I don’t think they’re served well by the production or arrangements.

Maybe Sean should produce the next album?

[sitdown1985]

Originally Posted by rosetree

Actually he says that at the end of Miss Europa Disco Dancer, a bit ironic though when he likes abba and disco.

Ahh yes. Total brain fail on my part.

[MSPKYE]

Let the bundles begin!

Critical Thinking - The Piano Versions

[Son of Stopped]

That's an incredibly good thick bit of fabric on the hoodie.

[Europa Gluten Free]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

Let the bundles begin!

Critical Thinking - The Piano Versions

What will they think of next?

Wire singing accapella in the bathroom while he takes a piss?

Sean tapping out the rhythms on the worktop in the kitchen while he waits for a new fridge?