What enemy? (Know Your Enemy - Manic Street Preachers)

Member Name: veryhairymonkey

Product:	Know Your Enemy - Manic Street Preachers
Date:	28/04/01 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: every song

Disadvantages: probablly one of their last albums

OK, let's get things straight - 'This is my truth...' is not an awful album. Just because it was different from the manics' earlier stuff it got branded and 'flawed' by the hardcore of manics fans. Sure, it is probably their worst album, but seeing as the others are all of such a high quality, that doesn't mean it is so bad. I like it, and so would many of you if you gave it a chance.

Right, back to this album. This will probably (hopefully not though) be the manics last studio album before a greatest hits album and then retirement. It's well documented that James doesn't want to be in a band when he's 40, and he's not far off that now, so their time in the business is running out. This album is a mixture of traditional rocky manics tunes, with a little bit off experimentation thrown in as well.

The phrase which best describes Know your enemy is 'The flawed perfect album'. Every song is great to listen to yet when you hear it you know that the manics should be producing better stuff. The lyrics are probably the worst thing about the album. They lack the guile and provocation of Richie and seem rather childish, or, what's the word... forced. It's as if they knew there were better lyrics inside them but couldn't get them out, so had to do with these one.

There are two firsts for the manics on this album. Firstly, for the first time in their career, James wrote the lyrics for a song, Ocean Spray, and secondly, Nicky sings his first lead vocals on Wattsville Blues. The first one has worked out better than the second, as Nicky is not too good a vocalist, but since it'll maybe be their last album, they may have wanted a last chance to experiment.

That's really it. A good album verging on greatness, but it still ranks at least fourth in my fav manics albums. Although it's a great album to listen to, it's hard to pick any of the tracks which could be describe
d as 'outstanding', and if there is a greatest hits album, I would say only one or maybe two songs from Know your enemy would get on it.

Found that soul

A good choice as opener, the rockiest song on the album, with a great sing-a-long chorus.

Ocean Spray

One of my favs on the album, this is the first song James has 'lyriced' for the manics. It's about his dying mother and is sung with great emotion and devotion. Perhaps one of the only ones with a chance for the greatest hits album.

Intravenous Agnostic

Another great one, a classic manics rock track, one of my favs from this album. Hopefully will be released as a single.

So why so sad

Slower of the two singles, this tune is ok but lacks any conviction from the band, and is not one of the best on the cd.

Let Robeson sing

This song really shows the manics’ dislike for America and the lyrics are critical of the US’s past, with issues such as the race war being sung about. It is a great song and one of my favourites on the album.

The year of purification

This song is more upbeat than others on the album and is great for singing along to. The vocals are very mellow and easy on the ear, which maybe makes a change from the earlier songs.

Wattsville blues

This is the first manics song Nicky has sung lead vocals for and although he’s not a great singer, it does work for this song. His deep, harsh voice is perfect for this one and where it probably wouldn’t have worked on other songs, they make this one great. This song is brilliant live.

Miss Europa disco dancer

The manics branch out into disco! When I heard about this one I was bursting with anticipation, and wasn’t disappointed. This is a brilliant uplifting song which is not normal manics style but great all the same.

Dead Martyrs

Another one of the best on the a
lbum (which is a lot of them). This is a dark, deep, moody song which is quite depressing, but stunning anyway.

His last painting

Still undecided on this one, it doesn’t strike me as an amazing song, yet when I listen to it sounds great. It’s not one of the best but is not bad either. Medium.

My Guernica

Not sure what a Guernica is but it’s a great song.

The convalescent

My second or third favourite on the album, this track is quite long but has groovy keyboards in it and great lyrics.

Royal correspondent

James’s voice comes into its own on this song, which has a brilliant chorus and great cymbals and strings on it.

Epicentre

Brilliant piano and lyrics combine on this song to make it a classic. If the manics wanted a lighter song on that greatest hits album I keep going on about they wouldn’t go wrong with this one.

Baby Elian

A bit of a stupid track I think. It’s god at face value but did the manics really have to write this one? Some anger at being rejected by America I think. Never mind lads, we still love you.

Freedom of speech won’t feed my children

These last two tracks are a bit weak but are ok for gentle listening. They could have chosen a better track to end on. The hidden track ‘we are all bourgeois now’ is much better, rockier manics.

Overall this album is great, but there’s just something about it which makes it not as good as say Everything must go or Gold against the soul, and of course the Holy Bible, but its still a good preview for that greatest hits album.

UPDATE:
Ok, changed my mind - anything bad I said about this albium in the opinion is wrong, it is brilliant, flawless perhaps. If you haven't heard it and are a manics fan, get it now!

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