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Manic Street Preachers

Although the Manic Street Preachers (usually referred to as "The Manics") formed in the late 1980's, it was not until the Britpop movement that they gained mainstream popularity in the UK. They are known for their intelligent and often political lyrics. Many of the Manic's lyrics reflect their working class upbringing in Blackwood, South Wales. Although originally regarded as a punk rock band, their music is usually classed as alternative rock. The Manics were formed by school friends James Dean Bradfield (pictured left)(Vocals/Lead Guitar), Nicky Wire (Born Nicholas Allen Jones, Guitar), Richey James (born Richey James Edwards, Guitar) and Sean Anthony Moore (Drummer). Richey James and Wire originally shared song writing duties but since the mysterious disappearance in 1995 of James (his whereabouts are still unknown) Wire became be the bands sole writer. The Manics released two albums Generation Terrorists (1992) and Gold Against The Soul (1993) to mixed reviews, but began to build up a dedicated following especially in the UK, where both albums charted in the top 20, and Japan. The group's next album, The Holy Bible (1995) gained huge critical acclaim but sales were poor and the album was not released at all in America, until a 10th anniversary edition in 2005. At the height of the Britpop music movement, the first album without Edwards, Everything Must Go (1996) was released to overwhelmingly positive reviews. The album spawned a number two hit single "A Design for Life", which became a working class anthem, and established the band with the mainstream music public. The Manics fifth album, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998) was just as successful, and produced the bands first number one single in "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next". In 2001 the Manics became the first popular western rock band to play in Cuba, (at the Karl Marx theater) and met with president Fidel Castro. In this concert they revealed many tracks from their sixth album Know Your Enemy (2001). Following a Greatest Hits album, Forever Delayed (2002), and a B-sides/Cover Versions Album, Lipstick Traces (2003), a seventh studio album, Lifeblood (2004), was released but charted poorly compared to its three predecessors. 2006 saw both James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire release solo albums before a reunion and the release of Send Away The Tigers (2007). The NME have announced the Manic Street Preachers to be the recipients of the 2008 God Like Geniuses Award, to honour their "outstanding, unique and innovative career in music". Manic Street Preachers Studio Albums...

  • Generation Terrorists (1992) BP Rating 8/10
  • Gold Against The Soul (1993) 7/10
  • The Holy Bible (1995) 9/10
  • Everything Must Go (1996) 10/10
  • This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998) 8/10
  • Know Your Enemy (2001) 8/10
  • Lifeblood (2004) 8/10
  • Send Away The Tigers (2007) 9/10

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