Manic Street Preachers - 'Know Your Enemy' (Epic)
4/5
By: Toby L
With their sixth long-player assault, the Welsh trio looked to wipe off the production-sheen of their last two albums - which, incidentally, were their best sellers. However, despite using less strings and trying to harness their sound down to that of a small band unit which knocks out rebellious, up your's anthems, Dave Eringa, producer of the last two albums, works with them again on almost all the tracks. However, their ventures into more electronic territory sees them aided at the control desk from renowned dance producer David Holmes. Therefore, early fans looking for a homage to the initial works are instead treated with, what the accompanying press release fittingly describes as, a record that 'takes their return-to-roots sound to another dimension'.
Don't expect to understand it at first: there are certain tracks that your brain, craving good tunes, will latch on to first, but don't give up after a first listen on the other compositions. Of the more appealing variety, singles 'Found That Soul' and 'So Why, So Sad' may be stark contrasts to one another, but still edgy and catchy enough to warrant humming in the bus-station or a celebratory, drunken mosh-up at a live show. The soothing and soulful organ and keyboards in those such as 'His Last Painting' offer a haven for troubled heads, immersed within James Dean Bradfield's guitar hooks that can't be dissimilar to anything 60's or Doors-related. The same can be said for 'Let Robeson Sing' (potential future single release?) - a heart-warming number that reveals, despite attempts to reach the raw trademark of their early 90's work, the Manics can never lose the knack of classic song-writing.
But - as mentioned - there are difficult bits to get through if you're not the most discerning of listeners. Some tracks are messy, dense and industrial, creating a fantastically ugly, but fascinating sound: 'Intravenous Agnostic' and 'Dead Martyrs' spring to mind, but on repeat listens, the true nature of the tunes and the meaning behind it can be unleashed like a religious revelation.
One thing that is special about the Manic Street Preachers is that they know their topic: even when ripping off 70's Beegees riffs and bass rhythms during the disco-saluting 'Miss Europa Disco Dancer', you can tell they know they're good and play it good - which is, well, good. Nicky Wire's lyrics are typically thought-provoking in some instances, but you don't dispute him when his views arise in 'Freedom Of Speech Won't Feed My Children', his words ensuing James to sing 'We like to kiss the Dalai Llama's ass'. Typically political, awesomely revolutionary and master-class for the masses - all an album's work for the MSP.
Artists in this article: Manic Street Preachers
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