A fitting tribute to a lyrical genius (Journal For Plague Lovers - Manic Street Preachers)

Member Name: xtrmntr

Product:	Journal For Plague Lovers - Manic Street Preachers
Date:	12/06/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does justice to the brilliance of Richey's lyrics

Disadvantages: No secret track on this special edition

The Manic Street Preachers' previous album 'Send Away The Tigers' saw them recapture their glory days with a series of anthemic stadium-rock classics. And while no one could begrudge them more chart success, there was always a feeling of unfinished business hanging over the band, in the shape of missing lyricist Richey Edwards.

Richey was officially declared dead last year, and this has perhaps allowed the band to revisit his left-behind lyrics and actually do something with them. It may seem a bit morbid, but there genuinely isn't the sense on this album that they are trying to cash in on the cult of Richey - in fact, it's more of a tribute to him.

A quick glance at the track names ('Jackie Collins Existential Question Time', 'She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach') proves that we're no longer in Top Forty territory. However, this album isn't a sequel to their darkest and most brutal album of yore, 'The Holy Bible'. If anything, it is Richey's lyrics themselves that have dictated this difference in tone - less angry, more contemplative. There are even a couple of jokes thrown in for good measure!

Musically, there's more variation than on 'The Holy Bible', from the grungey 'Peeled Apples' to the wistful 'This Joke Sport Severed', from the electronic pulse of 'Marlon J.D.' to the soft album closer of 'William's Last Words' (sung by Nicky Wire). I'm not sure how much exactly producer Steve Albini has brought to the table, but James Dean Bradfield has yet again risen to the challenge of finding appropriate music to reflect Richey's uncompromising lyrics.

My favourite song is 'Pretension/Repulsion' - a string of clipped adjectives followed by an explosive chorus of "Born a graphic vs. pornographic" delivered in James' best scream.

This review is of the special edition which comes in a book format full of Richey's artwork and lyrics. It's interesting to see the editing process that the lyrics have gone through - most have been untouched but some, such as 'William's Last Words', show that Nicky has taken out some lines that feel particularly raw to Richey's mental state. The one problem with the special lady is that it lacks the secret bonus track ('Bag Lady') that's on the regular edition - crazy!

All in all, for an album that could have gone horribly wrong, 'Journal For Plague Lovers' is ultimately a triumph. It just leaves one questions - where do the Manics go after this? I'd personally like them to call it a day, but Nicky's spoken of a new pop album (they've been listening to Queen and ABBA). Let's hope they don't ruin their legacy once again!

Summary: Better than we could have hoped for!