Everything Must Go - Manic Street Preachers

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ALBUM REVIEWED: Everything Must Go ( )

ARTIST: Manic Street Preachers

PUBLISHED BY: Epic\Sony (1996)

12 tracks -- inc.A Design For Life, Kevin Carter, Everything Must Go and Australia. Highest Position: ?

This is the 4th album by Manic Street Preachers, a Welsh three piece group. They consist of James-Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore. This was the first album they released after the disappearance of Richey James a year or two previous to the album.

This album was their comeback album. It was a major contrast to their previous albums, adopting a mellower approach to their music since the departure of Richey. The music was slower (well most songs were), and the songs were a bit more tuneful to a non-Manics fan. I of course love all their albums. To me, they're the best Welsh band ever!

Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier. I loved the acoustic guitar on this song. Lovely. Then the electrics come in and the drums and bass appear and the Manics have entered your sound system! 8/10
A Design For Life. Most people loved this song, even those who hated the Manics. I can't remember where it got to in the UK charts, but it was higher than anything they'd released before. It was 3 beats in a bar for this time. The strings added a different feel to the Manics songs. Lovely! 9/10
Kevin Carter. Another song released from the album. Lyrics were written by Richey before he vanished. There are another few lyrics written by him as well on this album. This song featured clean guitars until the chorus. One difference between this song and the others on the previous album was there was no shouting. A brass section appeared as well. 8/10
Enola/Alone. I used to like this song, but it doesn't appeal to me anymore. Maybe it's because I overplayed it. The guitars are lovely and the lyrics are ok. 7/10
Everything Must Go. Another brilliant track from the album. The guitars were brilliant. Lyrics were by Nicky this time. The chorus was fast and catchy. 8/10
Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky. Now this is different. An acoustic finger-style guitar, James singing mellowly, and a harp????? A harp??? In a Manics album? Yes, this song is a complete change from their previous stuff. Still, it's really good. 9/10
The Girl Who Wanted To Be God. Continuing with the long titles, this was ok-ish by my standards. Ripping guitars, banging drums, steady bass, and of course, great vocals. 8/10
Removables. Not really a standout track by all means. The chorus is good though. Slightly mellower than a few of the others. 7/10
Australia. Excellent! This was another track released. The chorus with the lead guitar behind it is great! Screaming vocals. The works. Brilliance! 9/10
Interiors (Song For Willem De Kooning). Nothing special here I'm afraid. but, it is ok if you are a dedicated Manics fan. 7/10
Further Away. A nice look back on the past here. Lyrically. The contrast between the distorted and clean guitars are good. The vocals are more suited to James' voice. Not bad. 7/10
No Surface All Feeling. The guitar riff at the beginning and all the way through the chorus is brilliant! Especially with the powerful overdriven guitar pounding away. The verse is a clean guitar singly strumming with a few riffs and the drums. Then all hell breaks loose and the chorus kicks in. It's still a slow song, but it definitely leaves a memorable feeling at the end. Perfect as the last track. The solo at the end is incredible. 9/10

SCORE:

95%

Their best album to date.

www.manics.co.uk

Site designed by the CCM Reviews Team. Maintained by G-String. Please report any problems to us at [email protected]. Last updated: March 26, 1999.

Site designed by the CCM Reviews Team. Maintained by G-String.
Please report any problems to us at [email protected].
Last updated: March 26, 1999.