Posted in: Rock by LegendKiller on July 14, 2009 | 0 Comments
The Manic Street Preachers return, equipped with lyrics from Richey Edwards. Will it be The Holy Bible mark ll? The LegendKiller presents a track-by-track rundown, complete with the Richey award for the most eloquently bleak lyric in each song.
1. ‘Peeled Apples.’
Opening with the eerie extract of ‘You know so little about me: what if I turn into a werewolf or something?’, the opening track of the record is an absolute cracker. A sneering, military beat straight out of the Holy Bible school of songwriting combines with a swaggering guitar riff, adding up to possibly the finest track on the record.
The Richey Edwards award for the most eloquently bleak lyric: ‘Riderless horses on Chomsky’s Camelot/Bruises on my hands from digging my nails out.’
2. ‘Jackie Collins Existential Question Time.’
Possibly the craziest title the Manics have ever come up with? Quite possibly, but this is another beauty. Beginning with a layer of delayed guitar harmonics that wouldn’t sound out of place on a U2 record, the song erupts into a cacophony of riffing and Bradfield’s demented bellowing. Marvellous.
Richey Edwards award for the most eloquently bleak lyric: ‘Tonight we beg the question/If a married man f**ks a catholic/and his wife dies without knowing/does it make him unfaithful?’
3. Me and Stephen Hawking.
A stop-start riff reminiscent of Everything Must Go’s ‘Australia’, it reverts to a quiet, almost jazz-like chorus that manages to maintain an air of…well, affection, before reverting back to the main riff for the close of the track. Another great song, and three out of three great songs so far.
Richey Edwards award for the most eloquently bleak lyric: ‘Transgendered milk containing human protein/the bacteria cheaper than baby food/Injection today/Today it’s a cow, tomorrow it’s human.’
4. This Joke Sport Severed.
The first ballad is a strong contender for the most depressing song on the record, but it’s still a good one. Bleak lyrics showcase James Dean Bradfield’s remarkable gift for turning the most unstructured ramblings of Richey’s mind into something that you can hum. Initially based around Bradfield and his acoustic guitar, the track ends with a beautiful mix of strings and growling, moody electric guitar.
Richey Edwards award for the most eloquently bleak lyric: ‘Jealousy sows rejection with a kiss/In silken palms that tear bone from skin.’
5. Journal For Plague Lovers.
Being the title track is often the kiss of death for a song, bringing with it extra focus and expectation. Luckily for the Manics, this is a great all out rocker, and a strong contender for a future single. If you’re a fan of Gold Against The Soul, you’ll love this one.
