Reviews (page 4 of 8)
This sounds like an album of the 90’s but not the good parts of the 90’s. It wasn’t good and I truly didn’t like a single song
I had not heard this group before and I was moderately impressed. Energetic but not too poppy sounding that reminded me of many other alt bands. The songs had some humor to them while still taking on some tough topics. I would rate this one as a 3.5
Nada de mais. Mediano e dispensável.
Exceptional album. The sound and the lyrics are wonderful.
Didn’t hate it that’s about all I can say. Fine in the background but nothing particularly distinguishing this from anything else in the genre.
Bad 90s alt shit
Quite boring. Why is this on here?
A band that I don’t think I’ve ever really understood. They’ve done the odd track here and there that has been ok but generally they don’t appeal to me. I can’t say this is a bad album and it includes some decent guitar based songs, just not my thing
Not the biggest msp fan
Alt rock, so not for me.
Sounds a bit to generic to deserve a higher score.
It was ok, might listen to more
point6.
Það er svolítið mikið svona britpop á listanum. Nýtur sín verr á mettuðum markaði. Þetta er algjört bylgjurokk finnst mér, en frekar gott samt. Gítarleikurinn skemmtilegur, söngurinn frekar einstakur, textarnir góðir og melódíurnar flottar. 3,4 / 5,0
Það sem Axel sagði og A design for life er frábært lag. 3,5
Not impressed - every song sounds the same, and I don’t care for their style.
Gets better as the album progresses. A bit repetitive at times. Classic Britpop feel.
A solid album with a few songs I remember from their release. A couple of the new to me ones were nice finds.
Not that good, not that bad. Would not refuse it, either would not recommend it.
First time hearing Manic Street Preachers. A few songs in, I was thinking there was a chance I was going to love this album. That didn't last, though, and I only ended up liking it. 👍Kevin Carter
Man I really love Manic Street Preachers. The singer sounds so familiar to me. Very nostalgic feeling. I don't think this album is nearly as good as The Holy Bible, but it's still a 5 star. That's more to just how good Holy Bible is than any fault of this record. This is very catchy and the strings are a nice touch
A band that on paper I should probably like more than I do when I’ve listened to their music. Far from a bad record, Everthing Must Go sounds great and the vocals are especially compelling. In my opinion this is a band that you likely needed to be a fan of when they were in their heyday rather than one that you get into later. I do appreciate that they likely influenced the upcoming emo movement in music and were ahead of their time in that way.
This album is primarily just loud guitar strumming with a decent vocalist on top. It's very noisy, but also somewhat polished and radio ready.
A ratos sonaba muchísimo mejor que Oasis, en una canción incluso le sentí aires a Dream Theater. Luego me sonó demasiado a Oasis y me dio lata.
#730. Mid-tier hipster rock 2/5: meh
Fine
Ah, the most ok 90s indie rock.
I can see why people value this album, though it didn’t move me much personally. There’s a certain nostalgic feel to it, yet somehow it also sounds a bit cheap. I can appreciate the intelligence behind their music, but being intellectual doesn’t necessarily make it moving. Compared to other albums released around 1996, this one just doesn’t leave much of an impact on me.
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘎𝘰 marks the rebirth of Manic Street Preachers after the mysterious disappearance of lyricist Richey Edwards. While it’s often lumped in with Britpop, the album really belongs to the Cool Cymru movement — ambitious, emotional, and proudly Welsh. Big, orchestral rock anthems like 𝘈 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 carry both mourning and resilience, as if the band were learning how to exist again. Tragic in context, triumphant in sound.
Not to my taste.
3.5/5
Marvellous
Melodic progressive rock with dynamic vocal. I'm really starting to dig this band
Not sure I liked it as much as the general reviews said others did but it was good nonetheless.
Talented guitarist, competent singer, polished production, but I feel on every track they manage to do very little with these gifts and come up with an overall sound that is to me less Brit-pop and more like Scorpions meets Worship Band.
The album grew on me the more I listened to it. It sounds like a lot of 90s alt rock, which i generally like, but i'm not sure that it was particularly memorable
Really like this, and had somehow never really given these guys a chance. Great vocals and even better guitar work - some really unique chord voicings that I think set this apart from a lot of other 90s alt bands. Actually loved the acoustic "Small Black Flowers" with the harp, and a lot of neat production flourishes throughout - it just sounds great and polished which to me is not a bad thing here. I spent too much time trying to figure out if this was Britpop or not (maybe adjacent?) but you can see how it sort of fits next to Oasis and early Radiohead while still very much carving out its own lane. The closer is amazing, just a fantastic riff. Definitely will listen to more Manics after this!
Expansive, anthemic, melodic. Vocals are interesting and don't always do the expected thing which is cool although im not always crazy about the voice. Guitars sound great. In fact all of the instrumentation is pretty spot on. The songs are really well put together and the overall sound is incredibly unique which is probably the biggest complement i can give. From start to finish there is no doubt who you are listening to. Favourite track - A Design For Life. 8/10
It was fine.
Another once that's nice enough, but nothing to get excited about. 3 *
I.would probably upgrade this to a 5 if I could understand what he's saying without reading along to the lyrics.
It was good, I liked it. I dunno what else there is to say or think about this album. I dunno how influential or "greatest of all time" kinda reception it has, especially for an album from 1996. I have positive thoughts on this album but it didn't woo me or anything.
His voice gets right on my tits
Not amazing, funny Blackpool song Crazy how one of the members disappeared +1 for being welsh
Is there no shame in Wales?
I've never been a fan of James Dean Bradfield's vocals, and im not a massive fan of the manics generally. But besides that this is a really great album. A design for life is the main banger, Kevin Carter is also brilliant. ive seen them live before now, and these songs do hit a bit differently then. ive always preferred Super Furry Animals and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci of the 90s welsh bands that were fairly big at the time.
Blackpool mentioned
When I saw the name Manic Street Preachers, I thought they were a band of hate clerics. I was sorely disappointed that it wasn’t, and was actually just shit
I know these guys from This is my truth. I hadn't heard this album before. While I was listening to it I was thinking about the passage of time. In particular about the way that time changes the way that we perceive music. I imagine that when this was released in 1996 in was a ground breaking album. The sound is very solidly brit-pop. It feels a little dated now, with the exception of Design for Life which still hits hard and is anthemic.
Britpop: The Musical!
One song
I was alright, I did lose interest a but. I don’t overly like the sound of the lead singers voice for long periods
Middle of the road rock / pop
Light alt rock 90’s
Enjoyed but don't feel a need to re-listen
Not bad per se, but kind of forgettable. Further Away added to Liked Songs.
2- Stars (4/15)
I tried. I get that this, with the lost lead singer, is like a Joy Division experience for a newer generation. I couldn't understand the lyrics, and this was compounded by my not being engaged by the music they were making, so I was less motivated to dig up the lyrics.
Oubliable
хуже хуйни в жизни не слышал.
Not bad!
Some good, bland 90s pop rock. Meh.
Fine
A little cheesy/of it's time I guess.
Thought the first couple songs were cool, but this is just average mid-90s If you were to ask me what rock music sounded like post-Nirvana, this would be the average of everything. Nothing really special about it...I don't hate it, but I'm also not planning on listening to it again. Quite frankly, I'm looking forward to it ending here in a song or two so I can listen to something else. I don't know much about this band but I'm assuming their fans are insufferable. Wild hunch.
Gostei bastante.
Album 1/1001 1. Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier (4/5) 2. A Design For Life (5/5) 3. Kevin Carter (4/5) 4. Enola / Alone (4/5) 5. Everything Must Go (5/5) 6. Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky (4/5) 7. The Girl Who Wanted To Be God (5/5) 8. Removables (4/5) 9. Australia (4/5) 10. Interiors (Song For Willem De Kooning) (4/5) 11. Further Away (5/5) 12. No Surface All Feeling (5/5) Total (4/5)
Loved their sound, hadn’t heard of the MSPs before, added this album to my personal library.
Released in 1996 at the zenith of Brit-Pop mania Manic Street Preachers were seemingly the ugly buck toothed cousins of the poster-boys Oasis and Blur.
90s Britpop Rock Even though it sounds big it feels dated. A piece of 90s nostalgia. Probably won't listen to the album as a whole again. Favorite tracks: A design for life
This one is perfectly fine. It feels like inoffensive 90s rock, it’s quite a few of them on this list. It seems like, I wonder if that’s because the creator grew up in that time or something? I think three is good, middle of the road.
its brit pop so i feel like i should hate it but this kinda awesome fr
90s rock I enjoyed?? Wow! Favorite song: Everything Must Go and The Girl Who Wanted to be God
Pretty solid I liked a few songs a lot, would give 3.5 probably
A good listen, some really good tracks and some that are just forgettable
kevin carterrr
Who are these funky white men leaving a jam in my ear!!
Meh
I go through phases with the Manic Street Preachers—sometimes I play them a lot, other times I forget they even exist. I saw them live last year, which reignited my interest, and Everything Must Go has been on regular rotation since. This is a solid indie album with a strong opening, though it loses steam towards the end. That might explain why, despite their status as one of the UK’s biggest indie bands, this record doesn’t quite feel like a big landmark album. For me, the Manics embody Britpop mediocrity: decent, polished indie music but nothing groundbreaking or wildly original. Like Stereophonics, Ash, and Ocean Colour Scene, they fall into that bracket of bands who have excellent greatest hits compilations, but no single killer album. Favourite tracks: A Design for Life, Everything Must Go, and Australia—all great indie tunes. Least favourite track: Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky—too whimsical and a bit naff, not one I’ll revisit. Album artwork: An iconic indie cover.
very commercial
This was really great. I need time to sit down and listen to it more closely.
The last good Manic Street Preachers album.
Not super impressed. Not really an obnoxious album, but it doesn't stand out much to me as significant.
For a band that inspires such rabid devotion from it's fans I can't really see what is so great about this 3*
"Everything Must Go" is the fourth studio album by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. It was their first album as a trio after the disappearance of rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards who was their chief lyricist. Rock, Britpop and hard rock are the Wiki-listed genres. The album marked a change of styles from their stark and disturbing "The Holy Bible" to using synths and strings and more anthemic rock. The bandmembers included James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, guitars, piano), Sean Moore (drums, percussion, trumpets, backing vocals) and Nicky Wire (bass, backing vocals). Edwards was involved in the writing of five of the 12 songs. Commercially, the album was a success reaching #2 in the UK and was also critically well received. An acoustic guitar opens "Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier." Bradfield's high tenor voice. The band kicks in. Soaring vocals and more of an anthemic vibe than previously heard from the band. Heck, accentuated harp strings are added. A song about the way the UK accepts and worships American culture. I sure hope that's changed some. The first single "A Design for Life" slows things down. A melodic guitar, a chorus break and strings. A song that builds...nice songwriting and a song about the working class identity. Edwards wrote the lyrics to "Kevin Carter," named after a photographer who filmed the 1993 famine in Sudan. More bouncy and groovy. A trumpet. Complex drumming with time changes. On their second single, "Everything Must Go," the band and producer show us the big sound they were going for. Dramatic with strings. Inspired singing. It's a message to their fans that their music has changed since the disappearance of Edwards. The pace picks up in "Australia." Harder, layered guitars but the song morphs into more a straight-forward Britpop song. They want to go to Australia to getaway from the Edward's disappearance turmoil. "Further Away" is another nice rock-pop song . An additional organ in a happy sounding song. Richey Edwards weighs heavily on this album. He wrote/co-wrote five songs. The band has three other songs about his disappearance - the change in their music, getting away from the emotional turmoil and dealing with the pain of losing a friend. However, they created a big sounding album (Phil Spector-"Wall of Sound") with strings, a harp, horns, synths and soaring vocals. Most of the songs are melodic and uplifting as opposed to the darkness of their previous album. I admit Bradfield's vocals can annoy me at times but they dictate the tone and overall won me over. There's a lot to like here (and I know I'm repeating myself this week) with well-constructed songs and production...but they are and this is an album worth checking out.
Not that interesting of a listen, quite dated and very not revolutionary. It's not terrible, there are stand outs, but in the larger sense it's not a project I'm glad I gave a chance too. I could have been perfectly fine having never heard of them or any of their songs. Some songs are incredibly mid and could have been by any other band from that time. Nothing on there is offensive or absolutely terrible, but once you hear the first violin progression + synth you do not need to hear any more, the whole thing doesn't go anywhere and sounds too much alike. On the positive, A design for life is a fine song, it's good and I get why it's the most popular, although not that exciting. The only shining moment on the album comes for me right at the end with No Surface All Feeling. That one sounds ahead of its time, very much late 00's rock, and is a beautiful song about friendship and grief. That one I'll keep.
The Manic Street Preachers are one of many British bands of this era featured on the list, but they are one of the best ones to listen to. The music is really energetic and catchy while still maintaining a rock edge. I found myself enjoying a bunch of the songs on here, such as Interiors and The Girl Who Wanted To Be God. There's a lot to explore here and a lot to love, I don't think one listen is really enough to give it a fair rating.
Heard of them but don't think I could name any songs. My sort of genre, I enjoyed it, would happily relisten.
Sounds like what a punk on Dawson’s Creek would listen to. Kind of boring 90s alterna-slop.
String-infested brit-pop. I like their politics but not their sound.
Not so much my kind of tea. Zwenig rockig zum nice pushy zsi und zu rockig zum chillig im hindergrund z laufe. Me not liky. Zwei Ave Marias
Gmüetlich gsi zum lose und entdecke. Aber au eifach vergessbar, isch wahrschindli es parade 3 puntitos album
*insert classic average background listening review*
I’ve heard of Manic Street Preachers. They’re one of those bands whose name always seems to float around, but when it comes to their actual music, it just doesn’t land for me. This album felt ultimately forgettable. It came and went without leaving any impression, and while I know it has a following, it just isn’t something I’d return to. That said, Everything Must Go holds a major place in the band’s history. It was their first album after lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards disappeared in 1995, a moment that shook both the band and their fans. Instead of collapsing, they regrouped and pushed forward, reshaping their sound into something more accessible and anthemic. Critics and audiences embraced it as a triumphant rebirth - but for me personally, even with that weight behind it, the music itself still doesn’t connect.
Generally fine. I forgot to rate it immediately after listening and so it's gone from my mind, but I didn't hate it.
This is pretty good except for all of the vocals
This is exactly the sort of like 00s pop rock (I know it says 1996) that really grates on me for reasons I can't explain. I think it's like, a mix of kind of yelly vocals and riffs that aren't very cool but there are a lot of them. It all seems to think it's really smart. It all feels like the music for the opening scene of a movie with characters walking around.
Very 90s esque.
I didn’t hate it, but I would not listen again. It’s fine I guess? Idk
Mid 90’s brit pop/rock poorly done.
An overly polished 90s rock album with a couple of hits on it. I feel like successful bands hit a point where they have a high budget but no ideas for an album so they just chuck a string section in there
Enola/Alone is such a good song. It is pure mid-90s alternative rock with a hooky chorus and great breakdown at the end. The Girl Who Wanted to be God is also pretty catchy with a weird subject matter that also fits squarely into the 90s. The verses sound almost like mid-career XTC.
There are no mind-blowing albums this week. "Everything Must Go" is an average album. After Richie's disappearance, Manic Street Preachers seemed to sizzle out. I probably should reconsider the rating for "The Holy Bible"; it's too low for what should be a great album. The last song is a masterpiece. 3 stars for "Everything Must Go".
4 out of 5. I found this album better than The Holy Bible (lol) Some think it's 90's sound holds it back but I feel otherwise.
Not a terrible album, but not for me.
I don’t really like the Manics. Never have. A bit pretentious and shouty. There are a few decent songs on this album, but the majority are not good. 2 stars.
I had never really given Manic Street Preachers a proper chance before, even though I was familiar with a couple of their songs. This album led me to explore the band’s history, and the story behind it is both fascinating and unsettling. Everything Must Go was the first record the Manics released after the mysterious disappearance of their rhythm guitarist and lyricist, Richey Edwards. He vanished in 1995 and has never been found. While many believe he took his own life, as he had struggled with depression for years, his fate remains uncertain to this day. Some of the lyrics on this album were actually written by Edwards before his disappearance, which makes them feel even more significant. The lyrical themes on this album are varied and thought provoking. There's a song about the renowned photojournalist Kevin Carter. "Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky" deals with animal captivity but can also be read as a broader reflection on human existence. Another track references Sylvia Plath, while the most popular song on here, "A Design for Life", is about class struggles. The sound is generally grand and expansive, with sweeping string arrangements, soaring choruses, and wall-of-sound guitars. What I appreciate about the production is that, despite the sheer volume and density of the mix, all the intricacies and details remain clear. Take the chorus of Enola / Alone, for example: despite layers of guitars, drums, and bass all surging at once, every element is still distinctly audible. My main criticism is that the album sometimes leans too much on familiar Britpop formulas, which makes certain tracks, like "Removables" and "Further Away", feel somewhat generic and forgettable. I also find the vocals a bit jarring at times - James Bradfield often pushes into a forceful, almost shouty delivery that can feel overwhelming. 3.5/5
pretty original
Great Britpop album that is upbeat and easy to sing along to Highlights: - A Design for Life - The Girl Who Wanted to Be God - Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
It's good for what it is but I just dont really love this like kind of sing along symphonic ish rock thing so I was never gonna enjoy this as much as other people might. A design for life is a great song.
placentada
Pretentiöst skit.
01) Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier - 7,5 02) A Design For A Life - 10,0 03) Kevin Carter - 8,5 04) Enola/Alone - 7,5 05) Everything Must Go - 8,5 06) Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky - 8,0 07) The Girl Who Wanted to Be God - 8,0 08) Removables - 7,5 09) Australia - 8,5 10) Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning) - 7,0 11) Further Away - 7,0 12) No Surface All Feeling - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,00 (80/100) Current ranking: 195/641
The MSP's were the first band I saw twice at different festivals. This was when they were still a foursome. The gigs had great energy. Some of the songs on this album hit differently when we learn it's the first album after Richey Manic disappeared. It is, like all of their albums, a great collection of songs.
ugh that voice man. It's ok music , but c'mon my guy! Change the tone or the key ....something. This is rough
Solid sound and vibe
Manics were always alright in my opinion, nt something I had to seek out, I knew some stuff from before this like "Motorcycle Emptiness" from Generation Terrorists, and "La Tristesse Durera" from Gold Against The Soul... And I knew about Richey Edwards mysterious disappearance. So most of the draw in this album was the inbuilt lore, could this band survive as a trio while missing half their songwriters (though some say more than half given Richey's lyrical input) and down a guitarist who didn't play guitar? And the answer is mostly yes, but the soul had gone and tone had shifted from introspective to outwardly more political, even the few songs Richey wote felt different, like "Kevin Carter" which is probably my favourite song on this album. An alright album, but a step down from their previous work, ironically the band would become way more accessible and commercially successful in the later 90s as a result
Alt/Brit Pop band from the 90s that I never heard of. I think their storied past with their lead songwriter disappearing puts them on this list more than the album itself.
Yeah, it was good. Wouldn’t make my 1001 list, but yeah. Why not.
Solid enough guitar pop music. Clearly in the same vein as britpop, which isn’t a deal breaker.
Preacher's heyday. So powerful and energetic. Love it.
It's a solid rock album, nothing more, nothing less.
The Britpop of this really sours the rest of the music. A lot of interesting layers of sound here ruined by try-hard vocals.
Generic 80s.
I actually really enjoyed this in a 90s rock kind of way
it was really interesting reading the wikipedia entry about this band and the disappearance of richey edwards! i’m interested in listening to some of their other stuff to compare it to this, a couple of songs were hitting, but mostly it kinda sucks?
Not really what I thought this band was?? Nothing against this really but it didn’t leave an impression, sadly
Not a bad album per se but I hated it and had a miserable time listening.
i just dont even know what this was
Really good. The production feels kind of dated - I could do without some of 90s guitar effects and tropes. But the songwriting and feel is just so free and direct and un-self-conscious. Love Australia, a design for life, everything must go. All feels more commercial single focused than Holy bible for example and that used to put me off it, but it's all so good.
I liked their sound, they had a cool alternative vibe going.
Super solid. Super lush. Super good.
Good
Between this and The Holy Bible, Manic Street Preachers are firmly in the camp of totally new discoveries that I love thanks to this exercise. Love the energy throughout the album. It touches on all the punk, alt, and grunge feels that seem to always strike me
Everything Must Go (1996) by Manic Street Preachers is basically what happens when a band walks out of a fire and decides to make arena-sized grief rock. It’s loud, glossy, and unapologetically emotional, like a eulogy written in glitter ink and screamed from a stadium. ⸻ 💔 Context Check (because it matters here): This was the first album after the disappearance of Richey Edwards—their lyricist, their razorblade philosopher, their myth. So instead of collapsing, they soared. They turned loss into legacy, and made something that shimmers with defiant survival. ⸻ 🧨 Rating: 4.7 / 5 📝 Short Review: Everything Must Go is grief on a grand scale—orchestral, guitar-drenched, and emotionally operatic. It’s like if Springsteen and Camus made a Britpop record, then lit it on fire.
I really liked this album. Very British, but I can see what the hype is about. Defintely sounds like the era it came from, but really solid overall. Will return. 7.5/10
A bit foo fighters
Alt rock, I think
A remarkable album by a remarkable band. After their primary lyricist had disappeared following their previous album, they came back sounding bigger than ever managing to turn the trauma into something positive.
I can feel the hurting behind a lot of songs here, but unfortunately most tracks fall far behind on either the production side or composition side.
Ordinaire. Ce n’est pas mauvais, loin de là, mais il n’y a rien de remarquable. Ça manque de personnalité.
Nothing bad to say, I'm just indifferent to this album.
Hated it
Good music and good singing. This sounded so much harsher from the band name.
kind of inoffensive, bland 90s music. nothing particularly stood out to me.
This is #day356 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's my second and final Manics record on the list. While EMG is a great album in its own right, I still think THB (which I got way back on #day125) is the one you must hear before you die. In contrast, this record feels more like a good recommendation. That said, "A Design for Life," "Kevin Carter" (probably one of my wife's favorites, love the way she says that title), and "Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky" (a beautiful hidden gem) are some of the better songs they've penned. What's fun about this record is how the band approached the drum sound, drawing inspiration from the acts they grew up listening to (most notably The Associates, whose album I got just yesterday). Another aspect is the vulnerability of the entire project, given that it was the first Manics record as a trio. P.S. Happy birthday to the drummer Sean Moore, who happens to celebrate it today. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day357.
It was okay, but not exactly my cup of tea. More so background noise, as nothing really stands out.
Pretty good, very britpop 90s gear. Would own the LP
6/10 I thought I'd be more of a fan. I love the song "if you tolerate this then your children will be next" but I'm kind of underwhelmed. Still listenable though. 7-29-2025
This is first time I've listened to an album a second time because it seemed like it should be my thing. While James Dean Bradfield's vocals aren't my favorite—maybe because they're in a higher register?—there's so much to like here. The second listen confirmed that I liked this, particularly the stretch that starts with "Australia" and goes through the end of the album. This was a lovely surprise. I'm now following Manic Street Preachers on Spotify, just a year before they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Better late than never.
Very solid. Totally new to me. Although I kept feeling like they sounded like a local band from Ohio or something that never made it big. Or like the soundtrack to a movie about a fictional rock band. Perhaps the vocals are just too musical theater for me. Or perhaps I don't have room in my heart for 90s rock bands for which I don't have a previous attachment. Further proof to me that this list is 1001 albums to listen to before you die as selected by an elder Gen X London hipster. But I'm going with it.
i liked this!! pretty british but in some cool ways
A Design for Life still rips so hard. Fond memories
A fun listen
I love finding new artists through this website that I would've never checked out otherwise. First Coldplay, now these guys. Everything about this album is so beautifully well-done. The instrumentals, the vocals, it's all a really nice experience.
This album didn't stand out to me in any particular way. Very much an average sounding album to me.
The vocals are a more melodic version of Vince Neil circa 2022. WTF is that dude singing about? Overall it wasn’t dreadful but it wasn’t enjoyable either.
How much shitty British crap does this list have????
Enjoyable enough, but I don't get why it made this list.
Not bad. Not great. I'd willing to explore more if the MSP catalog though. 3/5 #129
Forgot how good this is. What a record. I lived by this
3 or 4??? I'm leaning up...so I'll go with the higher mark.
Another gem from the 90s and an era of music gone by.
Nice, lacking standouts
Love the vibe 7/10
Enjoyed more than I thought actually - glad I gave it a shot after many years of not bothering
Just so-so for me.
The songs were interesting enough that I went back and listened to the album again to hear what I missed the first time. There are not a lot of albums that I do that for. I loved the production - there was an open, airiness to the songs. The horns and strings on some of the tracks added a sense of glamor to the production. I enjoyed it a lot.
Used to think MSP were a bit mopey - not sure that verdict has changed a lot but did enjoy the nostalgia of Kevin Carter (who is he?!!?)
Glad that it was more manic and less preachy
I get why of the two Manics albums on this list their first album post-Richey Edwards had to be on here. As a release it’s incredibly interesting to see how a band continues following such a tragedy and the already notable absence Richey left on their sound. As an album, it’s not my favourite Manics (I do wish they could have squeezed Generation Terrorists onto the list), but it serves as a blueprint for the style of music they would go on to play for the rest of their career. Decent!
Grew on me as it went on—decent.
A good album, I liked A Design For Life and A Girl Who Wanted To Be God the most.
All removables, all transitory All removables, passing always
Decent, but forgettable.
I remember this being really big in the UK at the time. I'm not sure I get it. I find the orchestrations to be a bit much.
What is it with all these mediocre 90s Brit pop bands? Not all these need to be on the list. I just looked it up and the book this list was based on was edited by an English writer so there you go. This album is mid at best. Sounds like something on Christian rock radio.
its like bad radiohead still decent - 6/10
I didn't really get through all of this but what I heard I'll give it 3 stars
90s rock... fine, with glimpses of being something more interesting
never liked the manics too much but eh, some tracks are nice but most mediocre :/
Knew this album as a teenager, haven't listened for best part of 30 years - really enjoyed the opportunity to revisit - title track & 'A Design For Life' the standouts.
Mid 20s when brit pop was the thing and loved every minute of life back then. So glad I didn't listen to this then as it has some really poor tracks on this album and it's not a pleasurable listen
Meh. Just wish I was listening to Wonderwall instead. Further away bugs the hell out of me.
This was an okay album. Nothing too special, or out of the ordinary. The orchestra parts on some songs really added some extras. The singers voice didnt really do it for me. Drums were nice though. Medium album overall.
2.5/5 - I found this to be really boring. There was nothing good or bad about it, it was just really plain. Second half of the album was better than the first half Standout tracks: - Removables 3.5/5 - Australia 3.5/5
Been meaning to listen for a while and hate myself for not doing it earlier after listening. I was surprised how much I liked it despite how "mainstream" it sounded as that is usually not my favorite sound in an album. Also absolutely crazy to read about their previous songwriter vanishing. Really torn between 4 or 5 stars. Rating: 4.6
Lots to see as a good job here: driving rhythm, real lyrics, creative guitar, musically aware production. Not a fan of the invasive strings, the borderline pop singing. I go back to The Holy Bible for a better Manic vibe, or a couple songs at the end of the album (Australia or Interiors).
Kudos to The Manics for coming back after the demise of Richey Edwards and for achieving their well-deserved longevity and classic status. And I still love the Cool Cymru movement.
I listened to this as I worked out this morning. As much as that would seem like an opportunity to really focus in, it got washed into all the other sensory input. That said, it was motivating accompaniment, I like this band. Haven’t gone back and listened to our first offering again, but noted I scored that album a 4. Good energy, good vocals, good compositions, I like the general sound of the band. So yeah, good stuff!
The title track was cool, but the rest failed to interest me much. Maybe I just wasn't in the right head space.
I don't know...bands like this just sound like nothing to me.
Had never of this album, pleasantly surprised - good straight ahead rock. Nothing earth shattering but def high quality.
It’s not absolutely incredible the way The Holy Bible was, but it’s a fun listen and something I’ll definitely come back to
I thought I liked Manic Street Preachers. Maybe I’m thinking of someone else or maybe it’s just this album, but I thought these songs weren’t quite there. They’re not bad or unlistenable. But something about them just doesn’t quite get them over the line. I’ll take REM 100 times out of 100.
Another 80s-90s brit indie rock with dudes wanting to be Oasis or Radiohead or the Cure. I didn't really think anything on this album would stand out to me but I did sort of like "Enola/Alone" it's got a good melody.
3.5
Surprised this group is on the list and that they are putting out an album this year. Sounds like just another rock band.
No thank you. Boring and uninspired.
typ rätt mid, borde inte va på denna lista
Excellent stuff, great summer music
Decent rock album
I like it, never heard of them before but a fun sound. Very full sound
Fun music I had not heard of before
WOW.
The album that made me appreciate the Manics. From the first note to the last, this album is by far the best thing they have released. Saw them live at the end of this tour, genuine life experience.
Never heard of them or this album but I was pleasantly surprised. Not obsessed but pretty good
Manic Street Preachers were a band that I tried to get into when I was young. I'd see their name mentioned a lot and I was curious. But their music never did anything for me, from the little I heard. Not terrible, just kind of forgettable to me. So this was my first time really giving them a chance. I did still find some of it less engaging, but there were definitely some great tracks here. "Kevin Carter", "Everything Must Go", "Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky" are all songs that I'd happily revisit. Overall, it's definitely not my favorite Brit Pop album, but it's far from the worst. There's quite a sad story behind this one, with the band's lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards having disappeared early into the recording (eventually to be presumed dead). From the description, it feels very much like the spirit of their lost band member runs through the album. All of the best songs (in my opinion) contain his lyrics.
I like this band because they sound a bit more like an American indie rock band than most of the other British alternative bands of their era. In fact, I’ve given them the nickname “British Superchunk” in my household. There’s something about the singer’s voice that reminds me of Mac McCaughan. I realize that’s not fair and shows my bias towards American music, but I don’t care…it’s just like Popeye says: “I am what I am”. Anyway, I think I liked the other album (The Holy Bible) from these guys a little better, maybe it was a little more aggressive and reckless and this one’s more reserved or somber (makes sense given the circumstances). I would rank MSP at the higher end of the British alt-rock on the list, so don’t take this three as a condemnation. It’s a good album, but I’m not sure I’ll be revisiting.
That is what is great about this project. Would never listen to this and rather enjoyed. A lot of good tunes.
6/10
Run of the mill 90s brit pop. Not bad, just nothing stood out.
Indeed it must! Good energy here.
This isn’t a perfect album but there’s no reason not to give it five stars. JDB is absolutely on fire here and what a comeback for the band as they mourn Richey’s disappearance.
Honestly just incredibly solid and catchy
Mid nineties guitar rock with pop sensibilities. Right up my alley, but I’ve never listened to it before. “Australia” is a standout at first listen. A lot of variety.
Not sure I gave this one the full concentration it deserves but generally enjoyed it. I sort of eased my way into it as at first I wasn’t sure quite certain, but a couple of tracks later got into general vibe. Feel I need to give it another listen and will try it again for sure.
There are times that this sounds like its falling apart then they surprise you with some polish and variance. I have always considered MSP to be a B band. Never turn them off and even seen them live. They are fun and entertaining. They are however just the average rock pop you listen to by chance not design. Probably harsh but just my personal viewpoint but never unlocked my personal play list despite me probably knowing them well.
Listening to this album made me think of listening to a good support band. You are mainly just happy they aren't totally shit and therefore quite enjoy the listen, then the main act comes and they are promptly forgotten. Not bad, just "meh". Can hear some early Brit pop and the first few tracks made me think of Elbow. Fine but unexciting.
6/10.
Back to back anthems. A near perfect 90s rock record
This singer has one way of singing and does it on everysong. It gets old really fast and I got bored after the second song. Generic, noisy, waste of time. 2/10
This album has become dated. Not for me.
Whee that's brand new and fresh sounding to me, I dig it!
6/1001 Buen álbum, me gustó, tiene esa estética rock de esos años, realmente con la escucha estuve un poco distraído pero me gustó
Album 792 of 1089 Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go (1996) Rating : 4 / 5 Decent album. There are a few tracks from their discography that I listen to regularly but none were on this release. Some nice British pop. They are hit and miss.
bastante buono
normal
As mentioned elsewhere, I wrongly assumed anything deemed britpop or from the UK in the 1990s would have a certain quality to it. Not entirely anti-mainstream or against convention, but unique in a way that separated itself from the grunge hangover and slew of Next Seattle and one hit wonders of the mid-late 90s. The more the second wave continued on, the more lifers from other fine, but not really britpop bands got sorted into the genre by the NME editors always looking to keep the show going. The Manics - more punk, political in their concerns and lyrics, less overtly anti-American rock or provincial - a UK rock band during britpop should’ve been a knockout for me. And everything I’ve ever heard, including this album, is just incredibly dull. Their backstory is incredible and incredibly sad around this time - lyricist and guitarist up and disappears! Forever!
This was fine. Not really hearing anything special to make it a must-listen. Some good parts and nothing that I would point out as particularly bad. That said, it was mostly just fairly uninteresting rock songs. Looked into it a little and there was a lot of interesting drama around the group and missing band member leading up to it, so maybe the context of the album made a difference for initial reception. I still don't see why it would be considered an all-time great album based on the music. You'd think that would've led to more interesting artistry, but I didn't get much out of it. Overall: 2.5/5
Nice BritPop
A lot of catchy tracks that I rrally enjoyed. May or may not listen again tho.
Had no idea who they were but really enjoyed the album. Haven’t heard a new to me rock album in a while that I liked this all the way through.
Kinda boring
Highs and lows. Overall good.
Better than most Britpop, probably less vapid lyrics, although I listened only once and didn't scrutinize the lyrics. I kinda liked it.
Fabtastic Album owed it for decades it was nice to revisit it
A bit absurd on how every song on this album feels like it could be the closing track. But excellent nonetheless!
Very 90s. Pretty good. Can def see how they paved the way for bands like Anberlin a few years later
I liked it! I haven't had a ton of experience with this brand of indie/pop rock from that era and from Wales apparently. I enjoyed the hard-hitting lyricism and the composition and vocals were right up my alley.
I really liked the lead singers voice, even though it wasn’t necessarily unique or completely outstanding, but I just really liked the sound of it. It was smooth but he also had that grit you know? This album was very upbeat and I found myself bopping my head along to it. I was very happy to see this band is still making music, they definitely deserve more recognition. I added some to my playlist, I liked this one a lot.
N0pE
This almost got 3, but I am deducting a point for the crappy 'string arrangements'. Why do rock bands do that? 2/5.
Zeikerige rock
Cruddy Brit pop.
Dated, mediocre Britpop album. Inoffemsive Overall.
Manic Street Preachers have always had their own unique flair, and I can appreciate them for that, but they’ve never been a band that truly grabbed me. Their music is solid and catchy, well-produced, but it sits in that middle ground where it’s good but not groundbreaking. They have moments that stand out, but overall, they feel more like a dependable “B-tier” band never bad, just never quite reaching that top tier.
Better than Coldplay.
surprisingly creative and enjoyable album with pop punk influences and also some radiohead sort of vibes.
Ok, my bias is gonna show here as this was my first ever gig at 14 years old. This is generational music. Cooler than britpop with better music, better lyrics with a better message, big sweeping strings, a back story to punch you in the heart but above all some absolute banging songs.
Warm and fuzzy.
It's okay. I never really got into these guys back in the day. It just doesn't grab me.
Good rock band Sounds like Wheezer meets Foo. FIghters; rock with classical strings 'Everything Must Go' Further Away
Between 2 and 3 for me. I feel like I should make the effort to listen closer. But, not grabbed by first couple of listens.
Never really got the Manics so I was expecting a hard listen, it was at first but then it got easier as it went through and I’d listened to a few of the hits I knew of and by the second listen I actually enjoyed it. They’re never gonna be my favourite band ever but I can see the merit and appeal of their music - Design for Life is obviously amazing - but some of the album tracks I really enjoyed too. Will definitely be back to revisit 3.5/5 Standout tracks; Design for Life (obviously) Australia Little Black Flowers Removables Interiors
Interesting, but I think I need more time with it. Not a bad thing to say.
I wish i had a bottle... To drown my sorrows in.
It was ok, lil heavy
Not even good in the 90's
Nice.
The Manic's first album since Richey Edwards disappearance is, in contrast to earlier more minimalist records, a big bombastic rock album for the most part. Songs like the title track, "Australia", "A Design for Life", "Kevin Carter", "Enola/Alone" are as in your face as anything on Oasis's first two albums, although much more substantial. Complementing the powerchords are sweeping strings and brass. Lyrically, especially on the songs to which Edwards contributed, the band tackles social issues, consumerism, politics. "Kevin Carter", musically anthemic, the trumpet reminiscent of TV series such as The Persuaders or The Protectors, is written about the South African, photographer who, tormented by the cruelty and inhumanity he had documented in his home country and in Sudan, took his own life, the psychological strain shared by Edwards. "Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky", a delicate, harp-based ballad, a seems to be about animal cruelty, in Zoos, in testing facilities (?), but also about individual mental health. A stunningly good album. Big, loud, brash and much deeper than it appears on the surface.
I liked this. Not groundbreaking (at least, not for me), but decent, 90s indiebritpoprock.
really surprised by this one! really fun britpop. the influence here is pretty laid bare, very beatle-y at points. it feels like a disservice to compare every britpop album to the two big britpop bands, and I wouldn't say this gets to that level, but it's only a half step below.
Hmm. Yeah, these guys ARE pretty good! Not as many heavy-hitting individual songs as The Holy Bible, but the sound is still there. I also appreciated the more luscious instrumentals, but they didn’t really stick with them after the first few tracks. Crazy that their lyricist disappeared.
These guys are pretty good eh Dom?
Jättebra!
Manic’s are my least favourite of the 90’s bands. Wondered if this might change my mind. Nope, I can’t stand his whiny voice. The first song was awful and then it went into the dirge that is Design For Life. I don’t even think the single will be a redeeming feature for me. Australia was ok.
Very new to me and very good songs
I wish they were more manic
= the Beatles
I really liked this album. It started like a soft melody and then everything started to amplify in the sound, emotions were growing. It's pretty much like hard rock music. Thanks for that one anyway.
no easy gsi för das dass es ned so min stil esch
4 stars. Like the sound and songs. Good band. Never heard of them before, so happy to discover them.
I've been enjoying this. Hadn't heard them before. Feels both in and out of the 90s, in a good way. Some 90s bands are just locked in a VCR. I like how they really go for it too. Some tracks are swingin for anthem/ballad status. Some are romcom soundtrack montages. Pretty much all the songs have a solid arrangement and super solid pop sensibility.
enjoyable, but kind of forgettable as well.
This was a pleasant surprise 3.5 is the number but anything that peaks my interest and causes me to dive a little deeper gets a 4.
Good album. I liked it
First time listener to this album and band. Decent listen. Nothing really moved me while listening. Not a big fan of the vocals. I am not sure how this is on the 1001 list.
Quintessential 90s brit pop. Inoffensive, as some reviewers have put it, but I think that's actually a positive for this album. It's catchy and entertaining but maybe I'm just a fan of this genre--idk. Not award-worthy but not terrible.
Better than expected. Nice, catchy hard pop-rock. Best track: Australia
Day 99 - No idea when this got generated I fucking hate britpop. 1/5
.. it musta went! Nothing left on the shelves...
Not my sound vocally, but I love the soundscapes in these tracks.
This was fine. It was probably a lot better in 1996. 2.8
A Design for Life is such an amazing song, that has loved rent Free in my brain for almost 30 years. This song almost single handedly gives this record 4 stars. There are some tracks that I don’t really enjoy, but Everything Must Go, Small Black Flowers and a couple of other are pretty good. 3/5
Terrible vocals on the first song almost turned me all the way off...
Sounds like some pretty standard 90's Brit-pop that never grabbed me or caught my attention. Nothing really stands out, the songs are pleasant enough and there isn't too much to dislike, it's just that I don't feel like this is special enough for be essential for anyone.
Finally a band from my neck of the woods I've heard so much about them, but honestly couldn't name you one song of theirs. I did end up recognising a few by the end of this album I quite enjoyed it! But they're more of a band I'd happily watch at a festival, but wouldn't pay for their tour 4 ⭐️
First track wasn't for me at all. Second track it starts to lift musically and feels fresh. The rest of the album either does nothing for me or is just the same sounding song. Maybe an album that meant more at the time?
This has the feeling of something I'd be extremely nostalgic for if I grew up with it. Either way it's still good 90's rock, some bangers but also some filler
It's an enjoyable album, but the songwriting is a little on the generic side. I like the string parts though. Low 4.
Never quite clicked with the Manics and I'm not sure why. On paper they should be right up my street, definitely in the Ash/Supergrass genre. Recognised a few songs on here, this must be the big album. It's all decent and the guy has a good voice but there's something that stops it being any more than good. Can't place it but that's my review. 3.5. but more a 3.
A Design for Life pushes this up, what a tune, not heard it in years. I had Manic Street Preachers' next album, This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours - I liked that one a lot, but mainly played, If You Tolerate This on repeat. Really great, refreshing 90s indie rock. Didn't realise they were Welsh. Really fun overall.
Never been a big manics fan but they do have some great songs. I've listened to "the holy bible"album before though and was quite impressed. I wasn't convinced by the opening 2 tracks on this, "design for life" doesn't do much for me, it's been overplayed. I do think it got better after this though, Kevin carter is a good track. There were quite a few others I enjoyed to. I might give this another go. Think at least 3.5
3.3 I quite enjoyed that, but not really a bad I could listen to on repeat. That 90s heavyish britpop, but like the verve, some songs are really good, but at the same time kind of get you down.
The sound of 90s radio. I've always been frustrated by Manic Street Preachers. They have fragments of absolutely amazing ideas and melodies, but they always seem to back off or give up before completing them.
A bunch of new kids moved to town through some gas station they were a part of. One was a tattoo artist and was giving away tattoo. I went with a guy I didn't really like but he set the whole thing up. He got his tattoo .I didn't. We ended up onbsoje adventure that ibdont remember at all but ended up at Lee's old house. It was full of 90s teens, mostly skaters. They all seemed really cool but the only conversation I Remer was me telling them wait until they meet Scott and Christian which most had already. I was still waiting for my tattoo trying to decide what to get. Most of the ideas I had were the words I will survive with different tv anti heroes faces above it. I finally decide on skull face but it's too late
Most of it just blurs together, but there are moment of beauty.
The first Manics album after Richey Edwards disappeared in 1995, it is a good britpop/rock album, their music was tight and well constructed, though personally I think that nothing stood out much and it wasn't that memorable throughout - the rougher, darker and wilder sound when Richey was still in the band was missing from this album.
very very mild, first half more interesting than the second