Album 15

[Europa Gluten Free]

“FUCK THAT!” is the best moment on a Manics album since when?

[Mumbojumbo]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

“FUCK THAT!” is the best moment on a Manics album since when?

Since 'Oh Mummy, what's a Sex Pistol?'

[Europa Gluten Free]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

Which song did Sean play the guitar and the solo on? Jimbo mentioned it in an interview but I don’t think he mentioned the song.

I'd guess it's My Brave Friend. As the solo is quite simple pentatonic. And probably Jimbo didn't want to name it to bring up the context of the song.

[Tish]

My initial thoughts:

Totally get all the talk about it being made separately, sounds like two different albums cut together sometimes.

HIPS and PRP still the stand out tracks, though that might just be familiarity.

I can understand why Decline & Fall was the lead single, most radio friendly thing by miles, even if nowhere near the best song.

Critical Thinking is great, not quite Engage With Your Shadow part 2 but pretty close.

Dear Stephen / Being Baptised / My Brave Friend - bit of a mid album lull, none of them leap out at me, though maybe they’ll be growers.

Out of Time Revival - love this, as soon as those big drums kick in the the album revs back up towards a big brilliant finish.

Deleted Scenes / Onemanmilitia - these songs both seem to be about the same thing, being scared to say what you really feel and hating yourself for the cowardice. Self censorship as the enemy of artistic freedom. Love both, especially Deleted Scenes. One of those typical songs at the end of the album that become a favorite, like Broken Algorithms or Black Square.

Late Day Peaks - this is the only one that reminds me of TUVL, that kind of coming to terms with being old and seeking peace vibe. It sounds like the big album closer, but then Onemanmilitia bursts in to kick back and rant again, so not quite come to terms with things yet.

Extra tracks:
Let the Light Return - sounds like an off cut from Intimism beefed up by the band
Johatsu - love this, reminds me of another song but can’t think what. Should have been on the album.

Overall, pretty damn good. Someone above said best since Futurology and I’d definitely agree with that.

[someone, somewhere, soon]

possibly the first album release I've come in with lower expectations than usual - from the singles, the press, the long roll out, even the title of the thing - but have to say from my few listens so far today I'm pleasantly surprised.

I can pick out a patchwork from much of the catalogue - Futurology comes to mind the most, but I hear snatches of Lifeblood, RTF, TUVL, KYE, even THB and JFPL throughout.

[counterlanguage]

Initial thoughts

- Critical Thinking is FANTASTIC as an opener. More of that please.

- In fact at the moment, the Wire lead vocals are the best tracks on there, just more interesting one way or another.

- Some excellent guitar and vocal work by James, plenty of moments that properly brought a smile to my face.

- JDB led songs overall are a bit 'alright/just above average' but I definitely feel like the album will grow on me so I'll probably be changing that opinion in a week or two.

- Far better than expected after Decline & Fall being such a letdown and the last couple of other singles feeling quite meh. They do sound better as part of the album.

[MSPKYE]

Let The Light Return

Johatsu

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

Let The Light Return

serious 74/75 vibes from that

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

Just heard Johatsu (it's on YouTube). Another excellent song that has somehow missed out on a place on the album. Very much in the style of a LB b-side (All Alone Here and Litany). Would have been a stand out track on the album, in my opinion. Love the line "I want you to know that I'm not a ghost yet"

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

Let The Light Return

Johatsu

Posted my comment above without refreshing the page and realising these had been posted. Thanks for sending the links.

[Son of Stopped]

Five minutes to go on my alloted delivery time.
However there was a huge crash into one of the main roads leading to Liverpool and something wrong with the trains as well. So delayed but not forever. I'd have an opinion on the album by now of I'd went out and bought it at the shops!
Well you pays yer money.
Also gig tickets including soundcheck access currently offered in a thank you email.

[Cyle]

Originally Posted by savemejebus

serious 74/75 vibes from that

Wow no kidding, it's almost word for word at one point.

[someone, somewhere, soon]

anyone mentioned that the Decline & Fall intro sample is missing on Spotify? I was assuming it was an incidental thing that you had to pick up on until I ripped the CD just now.

[*Found That Soul*]

Originally Posted by someone, somewhere, soon

anyone mentioned that the Decline & Fall intro sample is missing on Spotify? I was assuming it was an incidental thing that you had to pick up on until I ripped the CD just now.

It’s missing on my iTunes one as well

[Routine Builder]

So thoughts, hopefully my own and not recycling others:

Critical Thinking: What a wonderfully bizarre start to an album. An alternative universe where Nick becomes the frontman of PiL. Lyrically it's an odd one, the title doesn't particularly make sense as the lyric seems to rail against sloganeering than lack of critical thinking. Is the inclusion of Speak Yr Truth an indication of self reflection or an example of having a total lack of it.

Decline and Fall: For better and worse, it is very much a Manic Street Preachers lead single. It's an ear worm and continued bouncing around my head weeks after not listening to it. The band have written this song many times before and this is probably the weakest version.

Brushstrokes and Reunion: Propulsive and explosive. So much going that at times feels like a bag of cats with the guitars, drums, synths and vocals fighting to breathe. Perhaps less than the sum of its parts.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Nicky's fragility and sincerity used to devastating effect here.

People Ruin Paintings: Really love the chorus and general vibe but the guitar lick this song pivots on sounds so stock that I internally quiver when I turn it on.

Dear Stephen: A breezey tune with cringey lyrics. Perhaps would have been better as a letter than a song that dances around the elephant in the room.

Being Baptised: Introducing James Dean Bradfield the guitar maestro. Some nice composition which shows the benefit of not overcrowding the songscape. Feels like a continuation of the songwriting James started on Even in Exile.

My Brave Friend: Where James sings a late 80's ballad. A bit plodding but with some nice tones.

Out of Time Revival: Sort of sounds like it belongs to an 80's exercise video. A bit of quiet, a bit loud, perhaps a bit too simplistic to land a lasting punch.

Deleted Scenes: A semi-underwhelming b-side masquerading as album filler.

Late Day Peaks: Sister track to being baptised, songs that feel like a warm bubble bath rich in texture.

ONEMANMILTIA: The one where the Manic Street Preachers discover mid-00's indie synth pop. Could pass as a cover of a Fight Like Apes song. Full of colour and purpose, leaving the stage on a highlight.

General Thoughts: I don't know what I think of this album. The 4-song-8-month promotion period has robbed the album of some of its impact. There's nothing particularly offensive but other than the title track, there's a lack of focus and often more for more's sake. There's probably the solid bones here for two albums: Tracks 1,2,3, 4, 12 forming the basis for a 10 track album Loaded with hits; Tracks 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 forming the basis for a cult favourite relaxed pace critical darling that sells 500 copies.