Journal For Plague Lovers - Retrospective

[beautifuldistortion]

Ok, I can see how that could be awkward!

[Futurologist]

Originally Posted by NasalScarecrow

It isn't popular? I had no idea. My favourite track on the album. I get a rush when that first chorus comes roaring in. It slams live too.

I just assumed seeing as I like it, everyone else would hate it. *shrug*

Originally Posted by beautifuldistortion

rock, punk, humour, darkness, intelligence...I adore this record.

Yep. That's it in a nutshell.

Hey! I like Jackie Collins. They should've played that on 'Strictly'! Swear words and all! There's nothing like profanity on tea time tv to ramp up the sales. I doubt James' aunties would've been so proud of his appearance though.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by shug

I just assumed seeing as I like it, everyone else would hate it. *shrug*

Ha, that's actually a reasonable presumption! I feel the same way a lot of time.

[Mr Richey]

STILL my third favourite Manics album but STILL the one I listen to the most

[Blue Cat]

Originally Posted by Richey83

STILL my third favourite Manics album but STILL the one I listen to the most

How come you don't listen to the other two as much then? just wondering. I guess I love GT, but barely listen to it, it has to be the right time.

[Mr Richey]

Originally Posted by Blue Cat

How come you don't listen to the other two as much then? just wondering. I guess I love GT, but barely listen to it, it has to be the right time.

As the years have gone on, I've found that THB and EMG are albums that I prefer to listen to together. That is to say, I'll listen to THB and then EMG in full. Whilst I will listen to the odd track off both albums on a regular basis, I never listen to the the albums in their entirety very often and it's for that reason; I like to listen to both, in full, in one sitting.

JFPL I find I can listen to in full or just listen to a couple of tracks any day of the week. So I guess mood plays a part too; THB and EMG require a different kind of mood.

[Blue Cat]

Originally Posted by Richey83

As the years have gone on, I've found that THB and EMG are albums that I prefer to listen to together. That is to say, I'll listen to THB and then EMG in full. Whilst I will listen to the odd track off both albums on a regular basis, I never listen to the the albums in their entirety very often and it's for that reason; I like to listen to both, in full, in one sitting.

JFPL I find I can listen to in full or just listen to a couple of tracks any day of the week. So I guess mood plays a part too; THB and EMG require a different kind of mood.

Yeah, that makes sense. For GATS, I can't listen to random tracks, I have to listen to the album in full in order. I have to be really in the right mood for it as well, depressed but happy, so it hardly ever gets an airing.

[Oh Nick...!]

Unbelievably good album, brought me back into the MSP fold after I drifted during LB era and baled with SATT. If it hadn't been for JFPL, there's no way I would have been here for PFAYM (though I do wonder what my reaction would have been - I certainly like it a lot more than SATT but would that have been enough?).

Interestingly (possibly), one of the big reasons I drifted in the mid-noughties was that I started to find the live shows so samey... They're nothing if not consistent.

[Irradiata]

It's my favourite MSP album with the best four-song opening set ever. It's like they disseminated all aspects of their history into one album.

Speaking of specific songs: JFPL gets skipped frequently and I'm not too keen on Marlon J.D. (it's not as musically complex as I would like). The menacing intro to Peeled Apples sets the tone nicely. Hate to admit it, but I do skip William's Last Words a lot. Sorry, Nicky.

[Cerys]

I am in the 'it grew on me' camp.

I absolutely hated it when it was released. Hated it with a venom I never thought I'd have for a Manics album. It sat unplayed until just after PFAYM was released then I decided to give it another go. Now I can't stop raving about it to anyone who'll listen and I think it may be up there in my top 4. I think I've played it every day on my morning commute, which lasts just about as long as the album itself, perfecto!.

The only slightly disappointing aspect of the Melbourne show for me was that they didn't play at least one song from JFPL. I would have loved to hear Peeled Apples or Jackie Collins live.

[Midlands_Junk]

Out of everything they've released in the last decade it's the album that best stands the test of time.
A true classic and in their top 3 best records with EMG and THB.
They should celebrate it more, as an album it deserves to have more than the occasional and meagre one song played from it at gigs, especcially as it only came out just over a year ago.

[everlasting]

Mega album with some interesting lyrics to try and sing along to, great gritty guitars, some beautiful moments and perhaps the most consistant album they've released in the past 12 years. I give it a 9 /10. Had it on this week again and was playing along to Peeled Apples and Doors Closing Slowly (demo version is hauntingly beautiful I think).

[hummingbird]

Originally Posted by shug

Might not be popular, but I love Peeled Apples. Especially for James' little throat clearing two thirds of the way in. Always gets me fired up for the walk home.

Peeled Apples is one of the best first tracks on any album and is one of the greatest manics singles never released.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by hummingbird

Peeled Apples is one of the best first tracks on any album and is one of the greatest manics singles never released.

I maintain if that had been a single, and pushed in the right areas, it would've done well (and certainly a lot better than Postcards' singles).

[Mr.Selfdestruct]

Originally Posted by Midlands_Junk

Out of everything they've released in the last decade it's the album that best stands the test of time.
A true classic and in their top 3 best records with EMG and THB.
They should celebrate it more, as an album it deserves to have more than the occasional and meagre one song played from it at gigs, especcially as it only came out just over a year ago.

That nearly goes without saying. Needless to say i agree. Two albums in two years, but they totally misjudged which should be their last shot at mass communication.
They should have gone all out with Journals. Singles, massive tour, more promotion etc.