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ALBUM REVIEWED: Generation Terrorists
ARTIST: Manic Street Preachers
PUBLISHED BY: Columbia\Sony (1992)
18 tracks -- inc. You Love Us, Stay Beautiful, Love's Sweet Exile, Repeat, Slash 'N' Burn, Motorcycle Emptiness and Little Baby Nothing. Highest Position: 13.
This was the very first album by Manic Street Preachers, a Welsh, then four piece group. They consisted of James-Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey James and Sean Moore. The band had Richey James as a rhythm guitarist until his disappearance a few years ago. This was their first attempt at rock stardom. The album peaked at number 13, but none of the tracks reached the top ten. Their release of the Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) was their only top ten hit at this time.
In contrast to their most recent music, this is really disturbing. All the lyrics are written by Richey and Nicky. These two were really close and The songs they came up with were quite disturbing.
The tracks that really stood out to me were, Stay Beautiful, Damn Dog, Repeat (both Stars and Stripes and UK versions), Motorcycle Emptiness, Crucifix Kiss and You Love Us. Stay Beautiful had a lovely guitar riff. "Don't wanna see your face, don't wanna hear your voice. Why don't you just <guitar riff>". An absolute classic. Some of my friends started to talk about a song that they'd heard where they used a guitar instead of swearing. On playing it to me, they realised it was in fact the Manics. (Unfortunately, they did not like the Manics and never listened to it again.) Motorcycle Emptiness is a brilliant track. The guitar in it sings beautiful. The piano and strings blended superbly with the drums, guitars, bass and James' vocals. You Love Us had the wonderful chorus of "You love us, You love us, You love us, You love us, You love us, You love." Excellent lyrics and wonderful music to accompany it. Repeat is just there to offend. There are two versions. Same lyrics but different styles (stars and stripes takes the piss out of the USA). The opening line is still one of my favourites: "Repeat after me, f*ck Queen and country." Then all hell breaks looses with fast and furious guitar solos. Damn Dog was a favourite of mine because the lines rhymed in a way that everyone could understand just by looking at the lyrics. Well that was one small reason. I really loved the solo in it and the chord structure really appealed to me. "Feed me, feed me, can't you hear me howl. Feed me, cos I'm a damned dog now." Crucifix Kiss is probably the most straightforward attack on religion. "Fall in love, fall in love with me, nail a crucifix onto your soul." This track has an unusual chorus where the chords are the same, but it is only the drums playing. James sings along with phantom guitars and basses. Excellent.
Overall, my favourite track is Motorcycle Emptiness. A riveting solo guitar and vocals.
SCORE:
89%
Not a bad debut.