Album 15

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

Scarecrow you are the biggest moaner on here! But this is ridiculous! Ha! But we still love you!

Oh dear, have I become that guy?

I live in hope they can impress me again. Since the turn of the century they've released a lot of songs that I really love, from the JFPL heavy hitters to the Futurology b-sides. I'm just struggling with their current sound.

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

..... I'm just struggling with their current sound.

To be fair you have that in common with the majority of the record buying public

I haven't listened to the album again since probably the start of March and when I think about putting it on I just can't be bothered. It's not that it's all terrible but it's just all very 'meh'.

[Son of Stopped]

So same time in a couple of years then, folks?

[Son of Stopped]

Oh! And I like Decline&Fall more than whatever Pulp are trying to do with Spike Island!

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

Could quite happily never hear the album again and it would make no difference to me.

Same.

Originally Posted by savemejebus

I haven't listened to the album again since probably the start of March and when I think about putting it on I just can't be bothered. It's not that it's all terrible but it's just all very 'meh'.

Same.

I thought I'd give it a listen or two since I first heard it, but I just can't. The Post-2007-Manics-single-by-numbers-sappy-tripe that Decline & Fall is pretty much ruined the entire album for me

[Marconi Delorian]

It's certainly not a stayer for me, sadly. Will listen a few more times before the gig next week and then probably not again, bar odd songs.

[BrianPowell]

I do wonder, what does a good Manics record sound like in 2025?

Is a left turn needed? Something to almost shock us and make us double check it's a Manics record, or with the band, all aged 56, has that ship sailed?

Should something different have been tried out after SATT and JFPL?

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by BrianPowell

I do wonder, what does a good Manics record sound like in 2025?

Is a left turn needed? Something to almost shock us and make us double check it's a Manics record, or with the band, all aged 56, has that ship sailed?

Should something different have been tried out after SATT and JFPL?

Good question.

I certainly wouldn't want them to try and imitate the past, but the fact that I loved Lifeblood and Journal for Plague Lovers and Futurology - all of which are pretty different - gives me some faith that they might still be inspired to come up with something fresh eventually.

I did enjoy James and Nicky's recent solo albums so they still have ideas that captivate me in this day and age. Would love something raw and energetic, maybe not trying to be a heavy metal or punk band, but doing away with the mid-paced plodding tracks and sustained guitar effects and just bashing things out. But happy to see where they go next.

[Marconi Delorian]

Yes, perhaps some artificial limitations need to be made, to get them thinking outside the musical safety net. A real concept for the lyrics, a limit to the production, a writing/recording bootcamp, anything really. Even writing mostly on the piano made a bit of a difference on the last album - I definitely listened to it for a lot longer than I have this one.

[rosetree]

And who is that going to appeal to? a minority of hardcore fans, so they sell better? when they are doing what they want and not in a musical safety net. When have they wrote lyrics for a concept? They dont aim their lyrics to sell and Richey didnt write following rules. They said in interview they were going to join in with production bundles. I don't see a problem with it, though I can't see that they will write an album just for James' piano or because they need a concept to sell their albums. I hope they continue in what they're doing with more albums yet to come.

[Europa Gluten Free]

I don't really care what sounds they explore or what albums they make going forward as long as they are true to how the band is feeling at that moment. I think most of them have been like that with RiF showing the drivel when their hearts are not in it.

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by rosetree

And who is that going to appeal to? a minority of hardcore fans, so they sell better?

You are aware that the albums they currently produce only appeal to a minority of hardcore fans now right?

Originally Posted by rosetree

They dont aim their lyrics to sell and Richey didnt write following rules.

a) If they're not writing lyrics to sell then they should really stop scalping fans in their efforts to manipulate the numbers to sell enough to get No. 1 albums shouldn't they and stop harping on about how much chart positions mean to them?
b) I may be wrong but I do believe they had quite a list of rules to follow in their writing in Richey's time, first to come to mind is "no love songs" but I do think there were more.

[Bartek Wyre]

Originally Posted by BrianPowell

I do wonder, what does a good Manics record sound like in 2025?

I'd start with more organic, stripped down arrangements and less euphoric, cheesy choruses. Dialing the angularity up a notch might help as well.

[napnet86_]

Any word on the Critical Thinking remix that's opening the gigs?

[everlasting]

Originally Posted by napnet86_

Any word on the Critical Thinking remix that's opening the gigs?

Is this what is opening the gigs? Can't wait to hear it in Manchester then haha, love the track.