Battle to the Death: GT vs. Lifeblood

[Mark]

I probably prefer LB, but it's a succession of quite average songs with nice production. GT is flawed, but at least there's some energy and ambition there, as well as great songs. That's why I voted GT.

[Elizabeth M]

Originally Posted by TheGreatPretender

I'm nostalgic about GT as it's the album that introduced me to the band, but Lifeblood is far superior in every sense.

The Manics themselves may not be too fond of the album, but clearly it has it's supporters among their fans and deservedly so!

This is a misconception. The Manics consider Lifeblood to have been an artistic success, and were disappointed that it wasn't more popular. Nicky himself says in No Manifesto that they're really proud of it.

[Beej]

GT.

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth M

This is a misconception. The Manics consider Lifeblood to have been an artistic success, and were disappointed that it wasn't more popular. Nicky himself says in No Manifesto that they're really proud of it.

Really? Well, that's good to know because it certainly is a fine achievement and I'm glad they're proud of the album, though, this is a total contradiction to the things I've read. Other than when it was first released, I've rarely heard them say anything positive about the album, in fact, the last mention of their thoughts on LB (I belive it's an American or Canadian interview from their tour oven here - can't remember off the top of my head), James (I think it was him) likened it to being one of the "mistakes" they have made as a band.
I don't know, but to me it seems that they've dismissed it more often to the media then they have celebrated it. I'm really glad to know there's some praise for it going on in 'No Manifesto' though. Cheers for mentioning that, Elizabeth!

[Joe-eh]

Generation Terrorists is pretty much unflawed apart from Repeat US and Damn Dog, it captures what I love about the Manics and their earlier period.
Lifeblood, despite being a good album, is just not a Manics album. It sounds like a band who recently found out how to use synths, and thought they were the greatest invention in the world.

[Guernica]

GT for me. Lots of tracks from that I still listen to; NONE from LB at all.

[allofwho]

I'm surprised this is such a close vote. GT all the way, it's classic.

It IS hard to compare, though, as GT has had 15+ years to prove its staying power and Lifeblood is relatively new.

[Suicide_Riot_Junk]

Its gotta be GT for me!! Yes it has it's flaws, but so does LB too! Don't get me wrong tho, I still love LB, but in a totally different way to how I love GT!

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth M

This is a misconception. The Manics consider Lifeblood to have been an artistic success, and were disappointed that it wasn't more popular. Nicky himself says in No Manifesto that they're really proud of it.

Interesting. Thanks for that.

[a story on the radio]

Originally Posted by allofwho

I'm surprised this is such a close vote. GT all the way, it's classic.

100 percent agree there.

[a story on the radio]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth M

This is a misconception. The Manics consider Lifeblood to have been an artistic success, and were disappointed that it wasn't more popular. Nicky himself says in No Manifesto that they're really proud of it.

you also have to bear in mind that usually whatever nicky says regarding a record he actually means the complete opposite. wasn't lifeblood meant to be like bruce springsteen?

[The Gutless Wonder]

I love Lifeblood and have voted for it. GT is fantastic but I just love the atmosphere of Lifeblood.

[Porco]

Lifeblood is easily a better album, IMHO. I find it more coherent thematically, has far better production, and I find it more interesting musically too. In GT's favour it has some youthful passion and wordier, denser lyrics (which I'm saying is mostly an advantage, overall, though not in every case).

If asked which contains the best individual track, that would be a different question, as I think Motorcycle Emptiness is one the best tracks the Manics have ever written, and not bettered by anything on Lifeblood (other than production-wise). But as a collection of songs as an artistic statement (which is my choice of defining an 'album'), Lifeblood wins.

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by Porco

Lifeblood is easily a better album, IMHO. I find it more coherent thematically, has far better production, and I find it more interesting musically too. In GT's favour it has some youthful passion and wordier, denser lyrics (which I'm saying is mostly an advantage, overall, though not in every case).

If asked which contains the best individual track, that would be a different question, as I think Motorcycle Emptiness is one the best tracks the Manics have ever written, and not bettered by anything on Lifeblood (other than production-wise). But as a collection of songs as an artistic statement (which is my choice of defining an 'album'), Lifeblood wins.

Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel as well.

Even though GT is in the lead (not at all surprising), is it really a fair comparrison? One album was their first studio effort produced at a very different time in their career, while the other is an alternative effort by seasoned musicians/songwriters.
Although I voted, I'm not sure the two are similar enough to be comparred really. That's just my opinion, of course.

[Littlesue]

I think Lifeblood is easily the best thing they have done. I think Nicky tends to diss it because he's embarrased about the lack of sucess it had.