Does anyone still listen to RTF?

[Son of Stopped]

Had a listen in full this afternoon. It's good music for gales, even the Sun shone by the time the last two tracks were playing.

[AK47]

I generally don't listen to the Manics a lot at the moment. I just think there are much more interesting bands out there. The manics are great when they are great but RTF doesn't stick in my mind. I am hoping the next album will remedy that.

[Oh Nick...!]

Originally Posted by franny

I haven't listened to it since September (I've listened to it twice in full)

Yeah, that.

[cool-groovey-morning-fine]

I listened to the demo version of As Holy As The Soil earlier, and had a bit of a cry. Probably mostly because I'm so stressed at the moment, but still. I still find the album pretty powerful, and the demos even more so.

[manic pilgrim]

I stopped listening to it right after the tour. I took it from the shelf a couple of weeks ago and now I listen to it now and then. I start from Manorbier and go on but I often skip the singles. I expected to listen to an acoustic album, but the only really acoustic song is TSWH (and my favourite). The rest is very good but I am more rock-rock-rock-and-roll.

[Nature's Discontent]

Originally Posted by manic pilgrim

I stopped listening to it right after the tour. I took it from the shelf a couple of weeks ago and now I listen to it now and then. I start from Manorbier and go on but I often skip the singles. I expected to listen to an acoustic album, but the only really acoustic song is TSWH (and my favourite). The rest is very good but I am more rock-rock-rock-and-roll.

(Er, yeah, ignoring my slightly more flippant comment earlier on in this thread...)

I think you've summed up well here why I'm actually still quite ambivalent towards RTF. I too expected a lot of the songs to be acoustic-sounding and folky, something I'd be more partial towards, which is why for me TSWH stands head and shoulders above the rest of the songs. The other tracks on the album, for me, all occupy a peculiar half-way house between folk music and a rather inoffensive soft rock sound which doesn't quite appeal to me. Songs like Builder of Routines and 3WTSD, for example, sound as if they want to be two things at once, as if the band want to turn up the volume and rock out but are restraining themselves, and consequently the resulting songs sound rather amateur.

Maybe this view will change though. I haven't listened to the album religiously since getting it.

[manic pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Nature's Discontent

(Er, yeah, ignoring my slightly more flippant comment earlier on in this thread...)

I think you've summed up well here why I'm actually still quite ambivalent towards RTF. I too expected a lot of the songs to be acoustic-sounding and folky, something I'd be more partial towards, which is why for me TSWH stands head and shoulders above the rest of the songs. The other tracks on the album, for me, all occupy a peculiar half-way house between folk music and a rather inoffensive soft rock sound which doesn't quite appeal to me. Songs like Builder of Routines and 3WTSD, for example, sound as if they want to be two things at once, as if the band want to turn up the volume and rock out but are restraining themselves, and consequently the resulting songs sound rather amateur.

Maybe this view will change though. I haven't listened to the album religiously since getting it.

You explained it better than I could ever do and yes, maybe it's just a question of listening to it more. I am sure it will grow in me. On me. Mmmh well it will grow somewhere.

[Son of Stopped]

Well I suppose you get out of it what you want. Apart from breakneck political stuff. It's still a pleasant record. It's still quite inoffensive and relaxing.
It's just a case of how easily that sits with your idea of a Manics album.

I still say the next one isn't going to be the full out rock album everyone's hoping for. And for all that, you just know there's going to be a "Make a ten track album from the RTF and Futurology albums" threads.

[Suicide Aldi]

Personally, i like to listen to it as a whole. I hardly ever just go to one song, as out of context I dont think they work as well. But as a whole if im in the mood for it its great.

[stanley lambchop]

Originally Posted by Son of Stopped

Yes, I'm still listening. Although the last time instead of having it as the music to wash my hair to, I listened and skipped a few tracks and then used "The Next Day" for my greasy cleansing background noise.

following on from your genius hair washing scenario i've found the first 3 tracks invaluable in the waking late(ish) for getting ready for work stakes, i can make coffee, dry shampoo my hair, babywipe face and by RTF be supping said coffee whilst applying eyeliner leisurely...so yeah still listening but after RTF switching to CD1 of national treasures.

[bachelorette]

Haven't listened to it in weeks, can't even say when - maybe before the tour? Probably won't listen to it again anytime soon.
It is a strong album musically and lyrically, my problem with it is that James refuses to be the singer of his band anymore. When he first said that in 2011 I thought "if he's serious, it'll be over for me". I gave it all a try, thought the good things outweighed my estrangement, but they didn't. So it is pretty much over and the fact that they continue with this guest vocalist idiocy means Futurology doesn't interest me, either.
In fact, I'm eagerly anticipating their 2016 album when they admit in every interview that "James not singing so much was a crap idea". Roll along 2016!

[nayo]

I listen to it almost everyday. I think it's a perfect album for winter mornings along with Lifeblood.

[The Gutless Wonder]

The guest vocalist thing hasn't actually been the problem for me that I thought it might! My fear was James not singing on it at all which thankfully didn't happen and hopefully never does!

[UEF]

Yeah they really overplayed that "James isn't singing" thing. Or maybe they had a change of heart. Or decided to get people used to the idea so the guest singing didn't shock them when it came out. There is a particular type of revulsion some 'fans' reserve for when anyone gets closer than themselves to their precious Manics

[Smiling#Girl]

I still listen to RTF though I didn't for a month or so. I do like it or,at least,a part of it. Well,I have a feeling that it could have been one of their best(in my list obv)but it lacks of something.Can't say exactly what that is but it's not only the fact that James doesn't sing all the songs. Well,that surely doesn't help. That said I truly love TSWH and think it's one of the best Nicky's lyrics in a long time.