Forever Delayed: Greatest Hits - Manic Street Preachers

Forever Delayed can come in a snazzy special edition with a cardboard case and a bonus CD full of remixes. I own this, but I shan't bother covering the bonus disc as I don't want you to feel cheated if you buy a copy that doesn't have this. Plus, I haven't listened to it, as remixes generally suck. Still, it's the same price and it means you get a version of the stupendous Let Robeson Sing which ain't on the main CD. Even the packaging is a Manics fan's dream. The sleeve depicts the stark walls of an art gallery, walls adorned with the Manics singles comprising this compilation, and accompanying pretentious quotes from Sylvia Plath to Elvis Presley. ...  Read the complete review

Unfortunately, the release of a Greatest Hits album has lost its prestige in recent years. With bands such as The Pussycat Dolls and Girls Aloud releasing Greatest Hits collections on the back of their first single, it's easy to see why the announcement of a selection of Greatest Hits is becoming somewhat of a farce. Luckily, The Manic Street Preachers chose not to jump the gun and instead waited until they had a huge selection of epic tracks to choose from when they released their ironically titled Greatest Hits album, Forever Delayed. For dedicated fans of the Manics, Forever Delayed includes 20 tracks that chronicle the band's rise to success as well as ...  Read the complete review

The Manics Street Preachers were a kick when they first entered the music scene, some ten years ago. They promised to destroy everything in the true punk manifesto, while looking different to the alternative sounds coming out of ?Madchester? at the time. With such strong anti-corporation ideals behind them, it seems a little strange for the Manics now in 2003 to be releasing a best of album, a real attempt to flog a few more albums and make a little more money for their big record company. I was given a copy of this for a birthday present. I doubt I would have paid for it out of my own accord, for two reasons. Firstly already owning most of their CDs there ...  Read the complete review

It must be that time of year again, when creativity in the music industry dies up (not that it was flowing very much through the rest of the year). U2, The Stone Roses, Pulp and even Elton John have been releasing, what must be an oxymoron of Elton ?Best of? compilations. But for today?s lesson children, we shall be concentrating on the Manic Street Preacher?s attempt at such an offering, entitled Forever Delayed. Obviously, if it was actually forever delayed, this album wouldn?t be released when the band are still performing and are still popular, but that would hardly deliver the same sales, especially when the band can record new songs to promote the album. Well ...  Read the complete review

One listen to this album goes to show that the Manics are still relevant today, some 17 years after breaking onto the scene seemingly in a mass of anger and rebellion, all wrapped up in eyeliner and glitter, sounded by the release of first album 'Generation Terrorists'. As their career went on - through the deep implosion of 'The Holy Bible' era, rebirth with 'Everything Must Go' and the subsequent status as Britpop giants (affirmed with the release of 'This is My Truth Tell Me Yours') - the Manics have always had something to say, and this is told through the lyrical genius possessed by both Richey and Nicky and put to music by the musically brilliant James and Sean. ...  Read the complete review