The Greatest Album of all time. No two ways about it, this album is far from perfection, thats what makes it unique and pure. Richey James Edwards final full length album with the Manics is a work of genious. Mainly genious on Mr Edwards part.
Opening with "Yes" the album draws you in to its dark, haunting nature, with disturbing lyrics such as "He's a boy, you want a girl so tear off his cock" etc. The album contains the word "cunt" in the first line!
Through "Ifwhiteamerica..." to "Archives of Pain" the album slowly but surely makes it's evil known, however it is the mid-section in which this album puts every other C.d before and after to shame. "Revol" is a blast of punk fury criticising alot of the most powerfu leaders of all time, "Che Guevara you're all target now. Pol Pott withdrawn traces, bye bye". "4st 7lbs" is a horrifying picture of the nature of anorexia, this song will honestly leave you feeling sick- dispite this it is fantastic. "Mausoleum" is simply haunting and brilliant, whilst also including a great quote from J.G Ballard "I wanted to rub the human face in it's own vomit, and then force it to look in the mirror" before it builds to it's dramatic climax. "Faster" is again a punk-esgue song and the first single taken from the album, it's obvious why when you hear it. There is no way to describe this song other than if the lyrics and the riff doesnt blow you away, the guitar solo certainly will.
The final tracks of the album finish it with style. "This is Yestarday" lightens the tone a little, "Die in the Summertime" the most disturbing lyric to ever reach the surface, because this is what was going on in Richey's head at the time. "The Intense Humming of Evil" simple yet mind boggling, and "P.C.P" a classic return to the Manics punk roots.
This album sounds shocking on paper, but I assure you it works. This is unlike anything you'll ever have heard before and you'll love it. Every single track is killer and JDB is on top form with his guitar playing. All thats left for you to do now is to buy this classic. 5/5
Nabby.
