Postcards From A Young Man Thread

[Mary Chain]

Originally Posted by Oh Nick...!

No, that was The Quietus's reaction to hearing the album (www.thequietus.com).

Ah, I thought it came from a Nicky tweet. In that case, life is wonderful and the Manics are making like Bon Jovi!

[Mr Inconspicuous]

Originally Posted by Oh Nick...!

[B]Starting the week with new Manic Street Preachers. Polish

Anyone else wondering where the Manics had acquired an interest in Polish music?

Btw, any ideas about 'Hazleton Avenue'. Google tells me it's a street in Toronto but it doesn't seem to be particularly distinctive or anything...

[S.D.]

It's Not War (Just The End Of Love) is fun enough, I can see the intent is perhaps to bookend Journal For Plague Lovers with two more straightforward "Manic-esque" records, all pomp and deliberate self-reference. Anything overtly experimental might have lessened the still-fresh impact and beauty of Journal. That said, it's the only track so far, and therefore I can't speak for the album as a whole, I'm merely speculating.

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by Mr Inconspicuous

Anyone else wondering where the Manics had acquired an interest in Polish music?

Btw, any ideas about 'Hazleton Avenue'. Google tells me it's a street in Toronto but it doesn't seem to be particularly distinctive or anything...

It is a street in Toronto...a rather ritzy area of the city. Its notable here for its location in Yorkville (one of our many districts) which at one time was the centre of the great Canadian folk explosion (Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Band etc all came out of that scene) and later, known as the hippie capital of the country. The irony is that the area no longer resembles it's former self in any way shape or form. It went from hippie hangout to upscale yuppie central in the span of a decade. Pretty hilarious actually.

No idea what the song could be about, but I highly doubt it has anything to do with the area at all. Most likely, Wire just saw the name of the street and used it for the title as I believe he mentioned somewhere that the song was finished in Toronto when they were last here.

[Mr Inconspicuous]

Originally Posted by TheGreatPretender

It is a street in Toronto...a rather ritzy area of the city. Its notable here for its location in Yorkville (one of our many districts) which at one time was the centre of the great Canadian folk explosion (Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Band etc all came out of that scene) and later, known as the hippie capital of the country. The irony is that the area no longer resembles it's former self in any way shape or form. It went from hippie hangout to upscale yuppie central in the span of a decade. Pretty hilarious actually.

No idea what the song could be about, but I highly doubt it has anything to do with the area at all. Most likely, Wire just saw the name of the street and used it for the title as I believe he mentioned somewhere that the song was finished in Toronto when they were last here.

Interesting, thanks for all that. Yeah looks like it could be one of these New Order-type 'random' song titles, particularly as it seems to be misspelt.

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by Mr Inconspicuous

Interesting, thanks for all that. Yeah looks like it could be one of these New Order-type 'random' song titles, particularly as it seems to be misspelt.

Yeah, I'd wager it's pretty random. Doubtful a guy from Wales would have any lyrical insights on the region.

How do you mean it's misspelt? You've spelt it right. How is it spelled within the track listing?

[Mr Inconspicuous]

Originally Posted by TheGreatPretender

Yeah, I'd wager it's pretty random. Doubtful a guy from Wales would have any lyrical insights on the region.

How do you mean it's misspelt? You've spelt it right.

Have I? It's Hazelton according to Google.

[Bryter Layter]

Originally Posted by Mr Inconspicuous

Have I? It's Hazelton according to Google.

Haha! I didn't even notice that! Yeah, you're right 'Hazelton' not 'Hazleton' is correct.

Is that how it's spelled on the track listings? LOL! That's gotta be a mistake!

[Mr Inconspicuous]

Originally Posted by TheGreatPretender

Haha! I didn't even notice that! Yeah, you're right 'Hazelton' not 'Hazleton' is correct.

Is that how it's spelled on the track listings?

Apparently, according to the publicity.

Not doubt the Wire will loftily inform us that great artists don't concern themselves with such trivia, possibly citing the precedent of 'Cemetry Gates'!

[mattiasbrundin]

Originally Posted by AnotherJDB

don't know if anyone else has posted this track by track review. Sounds like its going to be a pretty strong album......really want to hear now having read this

http://www.the-fly.co.uk/words/featu.../-first-listen

it is very nice to read something that makes my mind imagine "exile on main st" ran through "back to mono" and played as "kick out the jams"... BUT after hearing the single i am terrified reality will correct me to "slippery when wet" with strings

[The Gutless Wonder]

I'm curious about Hazleton Avenue as well. I hope it is a lyric about the Canadian Music scene!

[Joe-eh]

Originally Posted by The Gutless Wonder

I'm curious about Hazleton Avenue as well. I hope it is a lyric about the Canadian Music scene!

I hope so too! Cuz the Canadian music scene is fantastic at the moment!

[manicspain]

this album will be amazing. I cannot wait. Im looking for hours and hours to listen new songs

[BrianPowell]

The Fly review had some lovely descriptions.

[Bad_Ambassador]

Originally Posted by Mr Inconspicuous

Apparently, according to the publicity.

Not doubt the Wire will loftily inform us that great artists don't concern themselves with such trivia, possibly citing the precedent of 'Cemetry Gates'!

To be fair to the band, on the sleeve of the promo itself it is spelt correctly as 'Hazelton Avenue', it's some of the subsequent press material which has spelt it wrong. Nicky's own notes about each track spell it correctly too.