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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
The first album the Manics wrote entirely as a three piece was the first to gain a large portion of criticism, both from the press and their own fans, seen by many as veering dangerously towards MOR territory. Certainly, the lyrics "The world is full of refugees / They're just like you and just like me" from "The Everlasting" is a bit Phil Collins, and "S.Y.M.M". (about the Hillsborough disaster), while an important subject, comes across as something Nicky Wire wanted to approach but had no idea how to. Still, "Tsunami" about the two infamous silent Welsh twins locked up for petty crime, is majestic and sweeping, while "Ready For Drowning" takes on Wire's feelings for his birthplace, Wales, and "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next", taking it's cue from Orwell's Homage To Catalonia discusses the Spanish Civil War with beautiful melancholy. It may be the Manics' least brilliant album, but it's still better than most of its contemporaries. -Emma Johnston
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
to say the manics do not vary their music is like saying the manics are garbage. this proves to be the most mature and varied album they have produced. it is an album that you would never get tired of listening to. the stand-out tracks are 'you stole the sun...', 'i'm not working', 'be natural' and 'tsunami'. a very progessed album
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Contrary to popular opinion, the Manics' most successful album is also one of their finest and a very worthy addition to their canon. It saw the band building on Everything Must Go with a more diverse selection of songs incorporating string sections, piano, organ, cello and sitar, among various other instruments. Overfamiliarity may now burden singles such as 'If you Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next' and 'You Stole the Sun from my Heart', but there are many more gems to unearth such as 'My Little Empire', which is as dark and disturbing as anything on The Holy Bible in terms of lyrical content, albeit in a palatable form. 'Black Dog on my Shoulder' and 'Ready for Drowning' are two stunningly observed compositions whose lyrics take on dual meanings, soundtracked by some of the most accomplished music the band produced. After this musical pinnacle, it is understandable that the band went in the opposite direction for 2001's raw follow up Know Your Enemy.
Despite its reputation as being too radio-friendly for its own good, this is an album layered with thoughtful introspection and a depressive, morbid air. A theme that cuts through the album is 'the void', a phrase that Nicky Wire uses on a number of songs, and the three remaining Manics filled the void left by missing member Richey Edwards with their most dignified and mature work, which in turn remained as passionate as anything that went before it.
Too often remembered as a time of bloated arena/stadium shows and multiple Brit awards, this album is the cause not the effect.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By "ravbains73"
Format:Audio CD
(I bought this album a long time ago, when it first came out with the limited edition embossed CD case -woohoo!)
Please ignore the overly negative 1 star reviews here, they are not in my opinion very balanced.
Okay, the manics started off as a brilliant young band, with the usual youthful nihilistic vision and associated political agenda. (Yes I thought Generation Terrorists was great, and still do!).
But this album sees the manics getting, alas older. The lyrics here are more reflective and there is a loss of innocence vibe pervasive in tracks like the Everlasting.
For me this is a pretty well balanced album, with a nice variety of tracks and tempo. From memory this album was recorded in the South of France, and there is a very french feel on some of the instrumentation on tracks like Born a Girl. For me very pleasing has a whole.
So please ignore the negative reviews here, all bands inevitably grow up, cannot remain young punks forever!! The important thing is that in maturing as people they continue to make great innovative music, rather than reverting to compromised dad-rock (like U2 for example!!!). This is definitely an innovative album both lyrically and musically.
So please just give it a fair audience and make up your own mind.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Manic heaven
I lost this cd when I had my car stolen and missed it, especially when i heard the songs from the album aired on the radio........welcome back! Lovin it!!
Published 2 months ago by entity56
1.0 out of 5 stars
boring music
Just listened to the entire thing. The first 2 songs aren't too bad (B/C-SIDE quality), the rest just bored the hell outta me to be honest. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Paul Smithson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great album!
I think that the reason for the love it/hate reviews that this album has generated is that many Manic fans would like this album to be devoid of any poppy sounds. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars
MY truth about this album
Wow! I have never seen such split opinions about an album - everything from 1 to 5 stars here! And I noticed something else - every other reviewer is extremely passionate about... Read more
Published 21 months ago by theone&only
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everlasting
So many good songs. This is an amazing album with a brilliant sound. The Everlasting is the stand out track which is amazing and one of the best songs around. Read more
Published on 20 July 2010 by Ben Nicholson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Their Most Disapointing yet
I'm a huge Manics fan but to be honest I can tell you my truth.. This album sucks, it's so poppy and mediocore I cant stand it! Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2009 by A Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some Beautiful Moments
This album, along with 1996's 'Everything Must Go' brought the Manic Street Preachers firmly into the public consciousness, bringing them chart and commerical success, whilst... Read more
Published on 4 July 2007 by J. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their best album
Was never a great fan of "Everything must go", as I felt it only had 2 or 3 great songs on it, and rest were far from being anything special! Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2007 by Mr. Clark Gillies
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful album full of different moods and sounds.
The Manics are one of those bands that always seem in transition, moving from one stage to the next, like from their original glam-rock polished phase to their bleak hard-hitting... Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2006 by Mr. S. J. Jouanny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad album
this is not an appalling album as some reviewers will force you to believe. it is perhaps the most underrated album of the Manics career. Read more
Published on 6 July 2005 by James Wilkes
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