Most Typical Manics song?

[tzb]

To complement the other thread. I'm not asking for the definitive or most important Manics song - far from it in all probability.

If you had one track to demonstrate the Manics' sound to someone, which would you pick?

[The Gutless Wonder]

You Love Us as a general starting point anyway!

[Dancing Kirby]

It's Not War is the most Manics-by-numbers song closely followed by Autumnsong but I wouldn't use either to demonstrate their sound to anyone.

They've rewritten ADFL so many times that it has to be that.

[centralscrutiniser]

Interesting question really, as I think it's much easier to select something completely atypical than something that's generically them as their sound has changed pretty radically in various blocks. What would have been typical of the SATT-PFAYM era (which, JFPL doesn't really fit into as an 'era') would sound out of place earlier in their career, etc.

But yea, I'd agree with DC above that ADFL, in all its various forms, is probably it both lyrically and sonically.

[tzb]

ADFL is totally unrepresentative of their GT/GATS/THB/KYE/JFPL sound though... hmm.

[The Gutless Wonder]

Do the Manics actually have a typical sound? (James' vocals and guitar playing style aside!) I think there's alot of variety in their back catalogue in comparison to alot of bands out there.

[centralscrutiniser]

Originally Posted by tzb

ADFL is totally unrepresentative of their GT/GATS/THB/KYE/JFPL sound though... hmm.

Absolutely, that's what I'm saying. But, given the many evolutions of their sound what is completely typical of one era sounds like a totally different band to another.

I really don't think there's any song you could pick that would fit into all (or even more than half?) of their incarnations?

[StunnedFox]

"His Last Painting", maybe? For some reason I feel like something off Know Your Enemy would make sense here... it's not an easy question.

[centralscrutiniser]

I suppose if you were going to have them rerecord one song from each album in the studio (to avoid production etc being an issue) to create an albums worth of songs that could, in another universe, be one Manics album you could go with something like:

- You Love Us
- Sleepflower
- Faster/Revol/PCP take your pick
- Kevin Carter
- YSTS
- Found That Soul
- 1985 (bit of an outlyer here, which I suppose proves the point)
- YLAINE
- Peeled Apples
- Its Not War
- Anthem For A Lost Cause (Again, doesn't really work but probably the closest option)
- Walk Me to The Bridge

Those songs are all fairly similarish in overall sound, tempo, instrumentation but 1985 and Anthem don't really fit.

I don't think there is anything that could be typical of all their periods no. Maybe it's not ADFL - maybe Faster conveys more of the essence of the band and would fit better onto more albums. Does make you realise what a versatile band they are doesn't it.

[tzb]

Jackie Collins Existential Question Time perhaps? It has a bit of everything...

Originally Posted by StunnedFox

For some reason I feel like something off Know Your Enemy would make sense here... it's not an easy question.

Agreed on both counts.

Or perhaps there's a b-side out there which "typifies" both the melodic and caustic Manics?

[Bobafettish]

Found That Soul I'd go with perhaps.
Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Solo/Chorus.
It's the post EMG era band trying to play like the pre-EMG band (could say the same about Judge Yr'self)


And the video's got books in... What could be more manics?!

[tzb]

Originally Posted by Bobafettish

It's the post EMG era band trying to play like the pre-EMG band (could say the same about Judge Yr'self)

[Bobafettish]

Originally Posted by tzb

I thought we'd came to the conclusion on here that the vocal part on it sounds like it was recorded much later?

If not... my bad, but it does sound a lot more like JDB's voice after it's matured a bit

[Scarecrow]

Some feel it was recorded that way, I'm undecided. They said it was the last recording session with Richey, but of course, they could be lying. Might take another listen tonight.

[Nature's Discontent]

I do actually reckon the Judge Yr'self out there was recorded around 2002/2003.

Most typical song? I'd say something from Postcards, as they're pretty much trying to copy their past glories on the album. It's Not War is a good shout.