The Manic's Finest Hour (The Holy Bible - Manic Street Preachers)

Member Name: LegendKiller

Product:	The Holy Bible - Manic Street Preachers
Date:	31/07/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lyrically Superb, Brutal Guitar, Thumping Drums

Disadvantages: Nothing. It's a Masterpiece.

There is a definite sense or irony in the fact that this, the undoubted masterpiece of the Manic Street Preachers' career, was also their worst selling record. A world away from 'Everything Must Go', the welsh rocker's other critically lauded album, The Holy Bible is a sneering, sarcastic, bleak ode to everything negative about humanity.

It's also an absolute masterpiece in lyricism. Richey Edwards, the writer of 75% of the lyrics (according to bassist Nicky Wire, the man's other lyricist), hit an incredible creative streak around the time the Holy Bible was written, and his writing here goes well beyond the boundaries of normal rock songs.

Picking highlights from such a flawless record is tricky, but highlights include 'Yes', the album's opening track; an ode to prostitution that manages to be both reflective and vicious at the same time, '4st 7lbs', a harrowing song dedicated to the perils of anorexia, and 'PCP', a scorching rant against Britain's politically correct culture.

One of the best things about the record is that James Bradfield's guitar work matches the vitriol of the lyrics: there are no 'Design For Life' style strings here: just menacing guitar line after menacing guitar line, matched with Sean Moore's relentless military beats.

The Manics are a band that have constantly re-invented themselves through necessity, but I'd urge anyone who has not yet heard this record to give it a listen and hear them at their aggressive, ugly best.

Summary: Undoubtedly their finest hour, EVERYONE should hear this record.