Time to cut the strings and bring back the rock? - Forever Delayed

AK47 · #1 13-05-2012, 08:45

I've been listening to both EMG and PFAYM this weekend and found myself noticing for perhaps the first time that the strings are quite overbearing on both albums. I actually found myself hearing less of the raw instruments and more of the string work. Sure, it sounds good and adds an extra layer to the music but I feel that it is now time to stop using them and go back to basics. What do you guys think?

starstruck · #2 13-05-2012, 09:16

Tiortranew · #3 13-05-2012, 09:21

More choirs!

The Gutless Wonder · #4 13-05-2012, 09:23

I don't find the strings overbearing at all. I suppose it depends what kind of album you want. I'm sure their next one will probably have less strings on it.

tzb · #5 13-05-2012, 09:38

The two aren't mutually exclusive - and I wish they'd remember that more often themselves - but there's no point in them continuing if they persist in ignoring what they're (still) best at in favour of the type of music you'd expect to hear on an advert for Take A Break.

JFPL struck a pretty much perfect balance - using strings sparingly to accentuate rather than drive the melodies.

Europa Gluten Free · #6 13-05-2012, 09:52

I fully expect the new album to be a more consistent version of KYE. I'm sure there will be a few singles or potential singles on there too.

UEF · #7 13-05-2012, 10:56

This Joke Sport Severed had strings on it and is possibly the best song from the best album they've ever done... and released in the last 5 years!

They said they couldn't do THB again then they nailed it spot-on with JFPL. More of that please.

AK47 · #8 13-05-2012, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by proevpete

I fully expect the new album to be a more consistent version of KYE. I'm sure there will be a few singles or potential singles on there too.

I'd love that. KYE is possibly the best Manics album for sheer creative output in terms of just going with the flow.

Bathtub · #9 13-05-2012, 11:31

With or without strings, they've got to stop writing so many power ballads.

UEF · #10 13-05-2012, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bathtub

With or without strings, they've got to stop writing so many power ballads.

No, more. I want them to hit the 'Meatloaf Years' running.

Dancing Kirby · #11 13-05-2012, 12:19

It goes deeper than the use of strings. It's how the strings are produced to sound so ghastly. They barely sound any more natural than Nasmyth's keyboard on PFAYM. Dave Eringa is a nice bloke but their loyalty to him as a producer does them few favours.

But yeah, get rid of the strings and start writing songs that they can play live without backing tracks.

Also, they don't even require the grandiose pathos of Everything Must Go anymore. That was a dramatic time for them when they needed a form of escapism. Now they write lyrics about how boring their lives are and put them to epic choruses, which is why PFAYM's title track sounds so OTT. Postcards + strings = are you serious?

Strings on From Despair To Where? Yeah, that makes sense. Strings on I'm Just A Patsy? Turd polishing.

Takk · #12 13-05-2012, 12:49

and get rid of the chorus, verse, chorus where the name of the song is repeated over and over

.

UEF · #13 13-05-2012, 12:58

And can we get rid of anything to do with "Love"

Takk · #14 13-05-2012, 13:03

and forget referring to the internet as if you were still living in a cave?

UEF · #15 13-05-2012, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takk

and forget referring to the internet as if you were still living in a cave?

THIS. That strategy has never really worked for them. I think they're gradually (after about 15 years of the net being a popular thing in normal peoples lives) getting that the net is a MEDIUM and not some sort of homogeneous opinion or an electronic version of a newspaper. I mean christ, Nicky even uses Twitter (after a fashion).