Manic Street Preachers - Lifeblood

The Manic Street Preachers, the people who once claimed "we're the only band who has the right to contradict ourselves" have certainly done their fair share of contradicting between albums. Before the release of their last 'proper' album (Know Your Enemy) the Manics claimed that they were going back to their rock/punk roots, that album failed to live up to the expectations that claim put on it, despite moments of magic. 3 years and two money making (sorry, 'closing of an era') albums later and the Manics are talking about releasing an 'eclectic pop record' with particular influence from Razorlight and the Killers amongst others. First off, this album is not particularly eclectic, most of the tracks could have been lifted from the second half of This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, and secondly it never EVER threatens to reach the heights that Razorlight et al have been known to hit.

Despite all this negativity though, this is not a bad record, certainly not as bad as the majority of the music press would have you believe, it is merely a very average one. Openining single 'The Love Of Richard Nixon' emphasises this point perfectly, a promising verse, followed by a weak almost non-existant chorus. Strong tracks such as 'Song For Departure' and 'Cardiff Afterlife' do help to lift the spirits, and only 'Fragments' is mind numbingly dull, but this album just doesn't have the legs to keep going, there are no standout singles here (although 2nd single 'Empty Souls' does come close) and most of this album is pure filler, b-side fodder. Had this not been the Manics then perhaps this review would have been different, maybe im being harsh because i know what the band are capable of, or perhaps im being soft because i desperatly want to like this album, but the simple fact still remains, this album is no more than average, and is very possibly the weakest the Manics have released.

Bring on the re-release of The Holy Bible.

4/10