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Rating: Some albums are not an everyday thing. Some albums seep into your ears, then your mind, and finally, inevitably, your heart. Certain words embed themselves in the soul, even if they are sketches, drafts, thoughts from a life lived (perhaps) briefly but as a free man, sharp, never predictable.
Richard James Edwards, former guitarist of the Manic Street Preachers, was declared "presumed" dead on November 23, 2008. His body, after his disappearance on February 1, 1995, has never been found. But before disappearing into nothingness, Richie left a "little treasure"; short thoughts poured out on paper which today, in 2009, the bandmates have decided to use as lyrics for the new work "Journal For Plague Lovers".
Since these are not complete lyrics nor designed to "lean on" a song, the pieces crafted for the occasion by Bradfield and company are short in duration, almost as if they were flashes ripping through a dark and cloudy sky.
Jenny Faville on the cover and reversed "R" in the logo again, the Manics unfurl all the grit and anger that had been missing since the days of the "Holy Bible" in precise and piercing guitar riffs, yes polished with a certain vaguely slick appeal (even if the band has wisely, in my opinion, chosen not to release singles from the album), yet always of absolutely clear and crystalline class.
Bradfield showcases a voice that finally scratches again like sandpaper, on strong and sharp lyrics like razors ("If a married man, if a married man fucks a Catholic / And his wife dies without knowing / Does that make him unfaithful, people?"). The work of superproducer Steve Albini is sumptuous, managing to give excellent underlying coherence to the album's sound while maintaining the most interesting and unexpected nuances of each individual piece (from the typical M. S. P. track "Jackie Collins Existential Question Time", to the Nirvana-esque "She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Beach", up to sinuous ballads like "Facing Page: Top Left" and "William's Last Words"). There are even rhythmic disco hints, in "Marlon J. D.", in addition to high-impact punk shifts, see under the name "Peeled Apples" or "Bag Lady" (the latter is, however, a bonus track).
It's not just a matter of emotional impact, anyway. This is a gentleman's album, through and through, and certifies once and for all the definitive resurrection of one of the best Welsh bands ever.
Key Tracks: "Peeled Apples", "Journal For Plague Lovers", "She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach", "Facing Page: Top Left"
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By nickwire2
‘Journal for Plague Lovers’ breaks that taboo, it is a collection of notes written by Richey before leaving his identity, readapted in lyrical form, set to music, and turned into a genuine album.
The Manics have settled the accounts, there is nothing more to say, to express, to contest. The last act is concluded, the most important one.
