Album 15

[everlasting]

You know something, I just watched the video for James' lead single and that's from 2006, and it's still the most well made video and interesting and fun to watch, it's so different and has an engagement level. Wish they'd do something random like this but guess they'll never push the boundaries musically or visually anymore, but hey ho. Here's the video if you fancy a watch again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UeeS-m2ZtM

[Nikolai]

Originally Posted by UEF

Now you mention it, the classic lineup does remind me of something…

You just won the internet for the day - this is utter gold

[*Found That Soul*]

Is there normally a chart update today?

[UEF]

Originally Posted by everlasting

You know something, I just watched the video for James' lead single and that's from 2006, and it's still the most well made video and interesting and fun to watch, it's so different and has an engagement level. Wish they'd do something random like this but guess they'll never push the boundaries musically or visually anymore, but hey ho. Here's the video if you fancy a watch again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UeeS-m2ZtM

It's also a reference to this Japanese film https://youtu.be/52lCbv7ziHE?t=23

Interesting concept, the editing seems a bit sluggish though... a lot of drawn out scenes

[Europa Gluten Free]

The xfm song by song interview thing really is fantastic.

[TheUglyLie]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

The xfm song by song interview thing really is fantastic.

Agreed. I really liked that John Kennedy gave them so much space to just chat away. He didn’t dominate proceedings in the way someone like Chris Moyles does. Nicky & James seemed in good spirits too, joking between themselves etc.

[Routine Builder]

Originally Posted by UEF

It's also a reference to this Japanese film https://youtu.be/52lCbv7ziHE?t=23

Interesting concept, the editing seems a bit sluggish though... a lot of drawn out scenes

Watched that movie recently which solved the 18 year old mystery of why James was surrounded by Asian people in the TNWTTAL video. Feel like this was a James choice rather than the director as it's too much of a lift of the original.

[UEF]

I'm assuming the polar bear photo that inspired People Ruin Paintings was one of these

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...on-photo-essay

[UEF]

Originally Posted by Routine Builder

Watched that movie recently which solved the 18 year old mystery of why James was surrounded by Asian people in the TNWTTAL video. Feel like this was a James choice rather than the director as it's too much of a lift of the original.

It looks to me as if they went to Japan to film it too, possibly in the same location.

When I tell you people had money to spend before the credit crunch...

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

Originally Posted by UEF

It looks to me as if they went to Japan to film it too, possibly in the same location.

When I tell you people had money to spend before the credit crunch...

Pretty sure it was filmed somewhere in London. Saw some local news report covering it, if memory serves me correctly!

[Dac X Lee]

My Brave Friend is kinda growing on me.

It sounds perfect as an ending song of an animated series.
And it really makes me want a Japanese cartoon series about the Manics' biography. A nice slice-of-life style fiction based on real events. With that song as the ending track.

The opening would, as usual, be something noisier.

Given Nicky's fascination with Japan, why not? Though I don't hope it. But "girl can dream". ♡

[Routine Builder]

Pretty sure it's London, plus there seems to be mix of asian faces as opposed to being purely Japanese folk. Still a fun video though, nice to have James do something other than play or walk around pensively.

[darkanddivine]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

I totally respect Scarecrow’s view on the album.

I’m wondering if there are other stalwarts or regulars who feel the same?

I think it’s their best since Futurology (and maybe even better!)

Well I've been around the block a bit! The whole time I've been into the band the Marmite factor has been strong, regardless of what the band does. I don't mind seeing all this critique and equally the love for the record - it's all gravy. I can totally see why some folks don't dig the new version of the Manics.

Personally, I'm quietly enjoy this album right now. Sometimes you get a moment where it all hangs together beyond the scorecards and rational reviews out of 10. I'm not a mad fan of SATT, but that album was super enjoyable because the band were clearly enjoying it and there was a buzz from fans and non-fans that made it an enjoyable time to be into the band. This feels like a (arghhhh can't not do the pun!) late day peak for them, where they are having fun and people are generally enjoying it in a similar way.

Will it stack up in time? I do think it's better than their recent work; certainly TUVL, and RiF and I'd be surprised if that changed. I've also connected with it more than Rewind the Film, and possibly Futurology, though that one was "like" rather than "love" so maybe it's about even with Futurology.

There's an argument that if you combine the best songs off RiF, TUVL and CT you'd have a really good comeback record post Futurology after 10 years off or something (maybe they could have been doing that thing all the 90s bands are doing - with a comeback and new album in the arenas). But there's something endearing about the Manics approach and work ethic.

[MSPKYE]

Originally Posted by *Found That Soul*

Is there normally a chart update today?

Manics now 2,000 behind apparently. Damn The Weeknd for fucking everything up.

[*Found That Soul*]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

Manics now 2,000 behind apparently. Damn The Weeknd for fucking everything up.

Oh well at least it’s not a close one and we don’t have to worry. James thought this would be the case anyway.