Not many bands make it to their tenth studio album. Manic Street Preacher’s first attempt was 1992’s ‘Generation Terrorists’, and their unique brand of modern rock and political angst is still with us almost two decades later. This is no mistake as the Manics have built a loyal following for their music, and they have branded ‘Postcards from a Young Man’ as their ‘one last shot at mass communication’. You know what, they may have just pulled it off.
You instantly know when you’re listening to the Manic Street Preachers. Whether it’s the powerful vocals of James Dean Bradfield, the intelligent lyrics of Nicky Wire or the theatrical rock sound of the Welsh trio, it hits you early on in a track before anyone needs to tell you that it is in fact the Manics. And that is the case with pretty much the entire album.
Lead single and album opener ‘(It’s Not War) Just The End of Love’ is a well-built guitar pop song with a memorable chorus that will stick in your head and a sweeping grand feeling that covers the entire record. The song ‘Postcards from a Young Man’ opens to an orchestral epiphany and develops into a far-reaching melody, as does the jubilant ‘Some Kind of Nothingness’ and the bright ‘Hazleton Avenue’.
Like all of Wire’s words, there is a message amongst the guitar hooks. The title track ‘Postcards from a Young Man’ assures fans ‘this world will not impose it’s will/I will not give up and I will not give in’. Elsewhere, ‘All We Make is Entertainment’ shouts ‘we were part of the grand illusion’, while the boldest statement song ‘Auto-Intoxication’ proclaims ‘disaster isn’t coming/It’s already arrived’.
The latter is probably the most different song on show; dreamlike vocals are met with an angrily heavy chorus and a powerful statement making for the most varied melody on ‘Postcards from a Young Man’ and therefore probably the most appealing. ‘The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever’, heartfully delivered by Wire, has odd arrangements and ‘I Think I’ve Found Out’ has a distinct mandola opening, but the style of the album is set as grand guitar pop from track one.
The theatrical rock theme is at its best in the anthemic ‘The Descent (Pages 1 & 2), while ‘Golden Platitudes’ is a thoughtful ballad and ‘A Billion Balconies from the Sun’ is a fast-paced rock number. It is an older sister of ‘Send Away The Tigers’, the old Manic sound with a mature vigour from a band now nearly twenty-five years into its career, and with arguably their best release since ‘This is My Truth Tell Me Yours’ in 1998. Album ender ‘Don’t Be Evil’ thumps this home; a confident flashy guitar rock song to seal a bold record.
Pure and simply, Bradfield, Wire and drummer Sean Moore are the masters of the theatrical rock sound and it doesn’t seem to tire, even twelve songs in. The Manics are back on form on the enjoyable ‘Postcards from a Young Man’ and should gain plenty of fans for the effort. It seems their claim of ‘big radio-friendly hits on this one’ has been validated, and it doesn't look like Bradfield & Co. are done just yet.
A great album from the Welsh trio, and here's leading track and first single '(It's Not War) Just The End of Love' for your enjoyment.
NWR
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