Don’t fret Manics fans. This doesn’t spell the end of your favourite generation terrorists. Bradfield’s solo project is merely an act of creative ejaculation spawned from a need to get in the studio and write some songs as soon as possible.
At the time his fellow bandmates were preoccupied with various other projects and family affairs so Bradfield was forced to go it alone.
But having contributed lyrics only once before as a Manic (‘Ocean Spray’, which was about his mother’s battle with terminal cancer) ‘That’s No Way To Tell A Lie’ and forthcoming album The Great Western are pretty much uncharted territory for the frontman.
“I just realised last night I actually really enjoyed it a lot,” Bradfield says on the accompanying press release.
“Seeing ‘Words and Music by James Dean Bradfield’ written down actually made me feel happy. For once I’ve lost a bit of my insecurity.”
They say:
NME: “The butch, guitaring Manic Street Preacher rediscovers super-infectious pop hooks on this opening salvo from his solo debut.”
CD News: “Underwhelming effort from the Welsh ringleader.”
We say:
‘That’s No Way To Tell A Lie’ is somewhat typical Manics-esque fare, with its soaring vocals and callous guitars. If the credits didn’t read Bradfield, you’d be adamant this was the fruit of chief songwriter and amateur crossdresser Nicky Wire’s loins.
However, saying that, this baby isn’t exactly the pick of the litter. The generic verses barely avoid the pub rock subgenre and the overly simplistic chorus begins to grate rapidly.
Its saving grace is the nifty combo of 80’s inflected synths last heard on the Manics’ ‘The Love of Richard Nixon’ and contagious Motown “sha-la-la” backing vocals which break through the mix at the midway point and beyond. All that’s missing is the mock Phil Spector wall of sound.
But fear not. The best is yet to come.
Like this? Try these:
The Manic Street Preachers – ‘1985’
Manfred Mann – ‘Sha La La’
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
Columbia
POSTED...
Thu 6 Jul 2006 at 10:58am
