The Holy Bible

6/10

Good britpop album. I prefer their later stuff, but this is good as well despite being less melodic.

Not bad, but it gets monotonous rather quick

The prelude to greatness

Not really my cup of tea but sounded a fair bit ahead of its time

Lordy!

This band has a lot to say about the political and economic state of the world. Also really dives into the depressed and self harming band member’s psyche before his eventual disappearance.

Too heavy for me.

I've never really clicked with MSP, and this album does nothing to convince me. It's all a bit overwrought, and I'm particularly not a fan of the subject matter more times than I thought. Not coming back here.

A low three high two that I’ll round up. Not my cup of tea, but i can appreciate some of it. Faves: yes, pcp.

I'm not convinced they weren't singing in Welsh, I couldn't understand a single angsty word.

Some cool guitar work here and there, but overall I just didn't enjoy the vibe of this album. Normally I'd write more, but barely even remember listening to this one.

Couldn't stomach it

Love the manics. I came in post-Richey for Everything Must Go so their earlier stuff i had to find later. The energy, the drive, the anger and the poetry all make this top class. I'm not smart enough to decipher the lyrics so i always just loved that they stood for something. I'm in a minority that thinks the best of the Manics isnt the lyrics of Richey/Nicky. I think JDB is one of the best front men of his generation and i saw them live in 2024 and he still fucking rules.

Rating: 4/5 | Favorite Track: Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart --- This was my introduction to Manic Street Preachers and I did not expect to like this album as much as I did. Political alternative rock with a nihilistic, dark post-punk edge. An excellent listen even with the challenging content matter pervasive throughout.

I love the Manic Street Preachers! Interesting choice for an album. I would assume it’s their only entry on the list, and while a classic album the holy bible doesn’t have any of the band’s biggest hits on it. It is 100% on brand manic street preachers. Fast, furious, melodic and filled with righteous rage. I think the manics walk a very fine line. Is their rage over American racism and female body image issues inspiring or is it comical? It’s hard to say, but I’m completely on board. Four stars.

Didn't mind this - Redd Kross vibes. Another band I have heard the name for ages, but never sought out. And sad back-story. Oh well...

Includes an additional star for pissing off the all the God 'n Guns evangelical nut jobs.

Egentligen inte dåligt men samtidigt känns det som att köpa en trisslott utan att vinna. Och det är ju jävligt trist.

No thanks

not bad

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Only knowing them from the song If You Tolerate This, I had unfairly written them off as just another britpop band. This actually has some passion and balls to it.

Great album

I don’t like this. The politics are fine, but the music just feels a little flat to me.

More non-Americans thinking they're cool and edgy for making fun of America and thinking they can solve all of our problems by criticizing us. As for the music I couldn't tell whether it was good or just repetitive. Maybe it would have helped if I could have heard anything that he was saying.

Solid Rock album.

I was really thrown by this, and heavily reminded that you should never judge a book by its cover.

4/10 - It was kind of bad and not fun to listen to. The cover art was also strange.

Pretty fun album to listen to even though i didn’t love a lot of the individual songs. Not a big fan of the cover though

Definitely not normally my kind of thing, but it never got too heavy and the lyrics were pretty intense.

This is better than the first MSP, but I don’t get it. It should be right up my alley, but it isn’t. 2.5

this shit slaps

My second Manic Street Preachers album on here and they continue to impress. Again I stress that these guys are severely underrated. I don't understand why they never took off in the US or how they're not being discussed in the upper echelons of 90's indie rock. I think I'll be adding this one to my record collection. The guitar is the star of the show here. The whole album is packed with captivating riffs. Its 56 minute runtime flew right by as I danced in my desk chair.

On paper I should like this album better, but it remains... One of those albums that to me it's history or rather the history of events that occurred during the album's cycle (Rickey Edwards goes missing for one) is more interesting than the music not that the music isn't pretty good (it is) it just doesn't grab me all that strongly and not something I'm likely to ever play again. That's about it. I listened to it twice this morning & had heard it a few times during high school and my opinion of the album is exactly the same - good album by a talented band that for whatever reason fails to resonate with me on any level. Rickey Edwards (band lyricist, backing vocals & I guess some guitar) went missing on the first of February 1995 & was legally presumed dead in 2008. It's widely believed that he committed suicide. A body was never found/recovered. 4REAL.

Favorite songs: Archives of Pain, She Is Suffering, Revol, P.C.P., Yes, Of Walking Abortion Least favorite songs: 4st 7lb, The Intense Humming of Evil 4/5

Fine. Feels a little dated. If I was aware of this band back in high school I could see myself digging them.

Better than I thought it would be, when the description invoked Britpop. Very interesting, but hard for me to pin down what exactly it is. Might look more into this band though.

I had never heard of this. It sounded like “Make an album that teenager Michael would’ve loved,” so I’m sad I missed it when I was a teenager. But I still really liked it, though an hour was a bit much for 44 year old Michael.

British band, but they sound American (besides the accent). Style wise they're closer to Smashing Pumpkins and Jimmy Eat World than to Blur and Oasis. As the album progressed, I liked it more and more. Favorite song: Revol

Heavy, edgy, political. The songs I could understand at least. It's not life changing, but it's good.

Probably should like this more and there is certainly some good guitar based power pop on show here. I just get the feeling that it’s all a bit contrived and they’re trying too hard

Not particularly interesting or good. No songs that really caught me. Was feeling a little harsh but on the 2 side of a 2.5.

Boring, unremarkable, maybe just not in the mood for this

Die in the summertime is a highlight for me

I really liked this. It had a bit SOAD vibes

Bad. Power Pop nonsense.

Me listening: — ugh, always heard of, never wanted to actually hear — (plays album) oof, British people really love passionate singing, huh? — I can see why I never listened. — wait, what is this song? I love this! And the song after was really good! — is this my new favorite thing? Why haven’t I ever listened to this?! — (plays again) wait, this is horrible. What was I thinking? — wait, this is so good! What is happening?! — repeat

Coll strange tragic

It was OK. 2/5

I’m mostly rating this out of naivety because I think I’d need to listen to this at least ten more times to be able to phrase intelligent thoughts about it. This album is so dense and they put forth a lot of meaning in one album. The music was good and everything felt like it was a heightened emotion. It was deeply angry and sad (in a good way I think). I will say by the end I was a little sick of the amount of opening voice memos but I think I could get over that.

This is the kind of thing I think I could really enjoy but just with a couple listens I couldn’t really differentiate between a lot of the songs. I enjoyed the punky hard rock sort of vibes though and the strong accent of the singer was fun to listen to. So overall wasn’t too memorable butt really not too bad.

This album is pretty unrelenting in its messages. It's a bundle of disturbing/heavy subject matter; ranging from fascism, the death penalty, anorexia, and the Holocaust among many, many others. Simply reading the lyrics isolated from the music would make one think that these tracks were written by an insane person. The verse construction is a bit awkward as a result, I can't imagine trying to write music around all of THAT. It all hits a little differently after learning that the majority songwriter on this album, Richey Edwards, had been fighting his own demons and unfortunately disappeared shortly after this album's release. Was this an effective album? Maybe, depending on who you ask. I know I wouldn't ever want to listen to this album again, so maybe that answers that question.

2/5. I couldn't get through this one. There are too many bad albums on this list. it's really killing my motivation.

Nah. Like the messages - not the music

The world is currently (FEB2025) much too bleak for me to cope with the final lyrics from Richey Edwards on The Holy Bible. Depressing x2, but a great alt rock record nonetheless.

The Manics at their finest. The Holy Bible is full of suffering and quite depressing - and so is this magnificent rock album.

3.5?

A few years ago I would’ve been potentially territorial about non-Americans being so critical of America, but at this point it’s totally fair and warranted. Not that this album is strictly critical, it is at times scathing, and at times painting a caricature of people here. And that’s understood! The highlight here is the insanely named “ IFWHITEAMERICATOLDTHETIUTHFORONEDAYIT'SWORLDWOULDFALLAPART” for obvious reasons. There’s a handful of good hooks here that are indicators of a pop-punky (NOT pop punk, pop-punky) formula that would be commonplace years later. My criticism of this record comes in the form of how it stays at the same level of energy and noise until “This Is Yesterday” which gets a little bit more quiet, then the rest of the album resumes that same level of noise once more. Some variation would be nice. Solid social-awareness/protest album

My fav MSP album, somewhat dated

Lots of indecipherable singing. Liked the first two songs.

Not a fan

Rating: 10/10 One of the greatest albums of all time. Absolutely infectious riffs and energy. So catchy and fun to listen while also having dark and thought-provoking lyrics: the perfect combination.

Eh…didn’t “hit” for me, nothing special here

Nossa, é um rockzinho legal. Diria que até bem diferente do que temos nos anos 90. Um rockzinho mais agudo, que não é normalmente o que eu gosto de ouvir, mas consegui aproveitar esse álbum. Gostei de Yes, Archives of Pain, Mausoleum e Faster.

Counts: 1 unlistenable 3-4 super mid 8-9 heaters

Painful Angry Makes you think

Just for the album cover

Better than i thought - good energy. Newer stuff sounds tired and formulaic but this was quite fresh

Before pivoting to ride the britpop wave, MSP was making dirty, gritty alt rock. Most of this comes from Richey Edwards and his struggles with substance abuse and poor mental health, which found it's way into the lyrics of The Holy Bible with a range of dark, disturbing songs over fairly upbeat instrumentation. It's brimming with off-kilter personality that I actually find myself enjoying large portions of the album. This came at a cost, however, as Edwards would soon disappear after the release of the Holy Bible. Obviously, his well-being played a factor, but no one knows what happened to him. What was left behind was a fantastic string of songs for everyone to enjoy.

Definitely better than their other album on the list - this is way darker and also more interesting.

I enjoy the Manic Street Preachers but never as much as I think I should. I feel I should worship them. They just don’t quite cross that threshold for some reason.

Really good album, the fact that this is the last one before Richey’s disappearance, makes it even more special.

I really liked this one. And the shit about their guitar player is crazy.

Listwnd in 2 sittings. Enjoyed overall good energy distinctive sound and not too polished

This was generally good, but only a couple songs (Faster and Die in the Summertime) really stood out for a relisten.

inte det bästa albumet med manics men så otroligt inspirerande och coolt med richeys lyrics. stökigt, gothiskt och hårt. påminner 0 om deras senare grejer vilket är ball.

I enjoyed it. He has a great voice

"Bow to the bland", they sing. "I'd rather not", say I.

Great album. Some songs suffer from being overly political but it's MSP early work so to be expected.

This covered a fair amount of ground but I did find it an interesting listen. It felt a bit long and could lose a couple of songs but I got more from this than I have from some others. Doubt I'd relisten but glad I heard it once.

I think I'm missing something. It seems well constructed as an album. The lyrics are interesting to read, but the music is not clicking for me. Sometimes I'm not sure if it's a language.

One of the worst albums I think I've ever heard

None of this should stand up, none of it should have ever stood up: crass sloganeering; awful guitar sounds; tense-armed drumming; mismatched sections; melodic fragments; overcrowded lyrics. No element of it works, which is why the whole is so staggeringly impressive. In the face of nihlism and wilful grotesquerie, there is hope and beauty - somehow - there is some achievement worth the time and effort. Eternity clutched from the mouth of oblivion. Take all my stars. The lyrics of The Holy Bible are a shapeless, rambling, almost-stream of consciousness clash of some kind of political nihilism and body horror. They should be unsingable or at least fatal to any attempt to create music worth listening to. Yet James Dean Bradfield took them and forged melodies of such elegance and potency that he must be regarded here as a genius at the moment of his purest inspiration. These are great, grotesque songs and I still shake my head, on the hundredth listen, at their relentless pile-on. Half of them would make a terrific album. As it is, I think of this album in which everything seems to pull forcefully in one direction; the angular, ugly guitar and bass riffs, the coarse production, the striking choice of artwork, those still shocking lyrics, the name of the band itself (invoked here on Archives of Pain), even the clothes they were wearing and I am reminded of no album more than Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. More than pop music; Gesamtkunstwerk. And, which may be more, the best album of 1994. 5/5

Had the same issue with “Everything Must Go”. It’s good music. It might even be very good music. It’s a far sight from great, though. At this same time, it takes itself so seriously that it’s utterly joyless. Something to admire, but not to enjoy.

Correcto

This one needs more time, and a resistencia or two, but first impressions is that it's good. Not great, but good. When the first track came on I was expecting to really love this. It just kind of lost steam near the middle. Closing track is great though. Lyrics are clearly complex, and I need more time to think about and absorb them. Standouts: ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart, Revol, P.C.P

9.5/10 Favorite Tracks: All of them Least Favorite: The Intense Humming of Evil

Love it! I definitely hear from this album the beginnings of the late 90's-early 00's emo sound

This one really surprised me - never heard of the band or any of these tunes, but I enjoyed the listen quite a bit. The instrumentation, writing, vocals are all good.

An alright album but no real standouts.

Class. One of the best British albums.

Powerful political commentary throughout which I enjoyed and the music matches it perfectly. One of the best albums I’ve listened to for a while

Too heavy for me (seriously) but great lyrics and knowing the context, it can be daunting

I think this will never become my music. But this album was better then then the other I had to listen to.

Never listened to this band before. Having read more about the lead singer's disappearance and the subject matter for the songs, it's pretty depressing.

Not bad. Will revisit but probably will not make it to my heavy rotation

I remember being slightly afraid of this album and now I’m grown, it doesn’t feel as hardcore as I’d imagined it was back then. A great piece, rageful and so of the time.

My favourite album. Easy 5. Could listen to this every day. I recommend the US mix, but the UK mix is still an incredible listen.

Los Manics son un grupo que a pesar de no estar a la vanguardia del brit rock tuvieron y tienen una carrera mucho más longeva y regular que sus coetáneos. James o The Charlatans están en la misma situación. Además perdieron a uno de sus puntales a mitad de su carrera y esto no significó otra cosa que una evolución hacia sus mejores discos. Este The Holy Bible es el último paso antes de perder a Richey. Es un disco que combina la pulsión punk-rock con lo que luego serían las señas del brit rock (Suede, Placebo e incluso Muse bien que les deben a estos) . Aporta además de buenas melodías, buenas letras lo que combinado con la arrogante actitud e imagen de los MSP les otorgó una reputación emergente. Destacan sus letras angustiosas con un marcado componente vital, que luego cobrarían sentido con la desaparición de Richey. La influencia y el paralelismo con Joy Division gustaron mucho a la crítica. En mi opinión, sus dos siguientes álbumes (Everything must go o This is my truth... ) son mejores, pero es cuestión de gustos. Otros discos del 94: BLUR: Parklife, PORTISHEAD: Dummy, MANO NEGRA: Casa Babylon, SUEDE: Dog Man Star, NAS: Illmatic, PAVEMENT: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, OASIS: Definitely Maybe, NEIL YOUNG: Sleeps With Angels, AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB: San Francisco, R.E.M.: Monster, HOLE: Live Through This, JEFF BUCKLEY: Grace, MASSIVE ATTACK: Protection, THE AUTERS: Now I’m A Cowboy, NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS: Let Love In, JOHNNY CASH: American Recordings, SEBADOH: Bakesale, UNDERWORLD: Dubnobasswithmyheadman, STONE ROSES: Second Coming, BECK: Mellow Gold, MARK LANEGAN: Whiskey For The Holy Ghost, TOM PETTY: Wildflowers, THE BEASTIE BOYS: Ill Comunication, KRISTIN HERSH: Hips And Makers, SABRES OF PARADISE: Haunted Dancehall, JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION: Orange, NIRVANA: Unplugged In New York, ALI FARKA TOURE & RY COODER: Talking Timbuktu, PULP: His’n’Hers, THE PRODIGY: Music For The Gilted Generation, VERUCA SALT: American Thighs, THE WALKABOUTS: Satisfied Ma, Elvis Costello: Brutal Youth, Smash de The Offspring

Nice

Solid addition to the list

My enjoyment of the Manics is tainted by their ever-presence in the late 90s on the radio. Can’t quite bring myself to like the singers shouty singing either. Sadly I can’t look past either of these.

Un album bien mid pour finir l’année

Half listened to it while washing my hair Nothing against the album personally. Might come back to it later.

I'm speed running albums to catch up but this doesn't hit

New to me, and couldn’t be happier to experience. A well crafted rock album that warrants more listens to explore the themes presented. Great listen.

Much better than I expected. Damn shame about the lead.

I really liked this one. Dark lyrics, with a mix of indie and alt rock but some of it sounds almost industrial. The vocals are clear and cutting, though the phrasing makes it to understand the lyrics without really listening.

saints row 1 alternative radio station ass music

Everything I know of the Manics is post-this record. Who knew they were actually quite grungy in their earlier stuff? Wasn't surprised this was quite a political album, but the heavier sound was interesting. I found it really hard to figure out the lyrics at times though, and I wanted to like it more than I did

Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible Not gonna lie, this kinda surprised me to listen, because i thought this was going to sound very technical and robust all throughout the album, but quite the opposite. Some of the songs on this albums sound really good, the rock elements mainly are what makes it great to hear. Overall, this is good! 1.- Yes = 9/10 2.- Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart = 7/10 3.- Of Walking Abortion = 8/10 4.- She Is Suffering = 9/10 5.- Archives of Pain = 8/10 6.- Revol = 7/10 7.- 4st 7lb = 8/10 8.- Mausoleum = 6/10 9.- Faster = 8/10 10.- This Is Yesterday = 7/10 11.- Die in the Summertime = 7/10 12.- The Intense Humming of Evil = 7/10 13.- P.C.P. = 8/10 FINAL SCORE: 7.6/10

Not too much of a fan

In every single way conceivable, from the deep to the not so deep, this was the perfect day to get this album. Insofar as anyone, including James Dean Bradfield, knows all the lyrics, I know this word for word, and yet there was still so much to enjoy on this listen. I took it in on record, pretty loud. What that meant was that it was the quality of James and Sean's instruments that really struck me, which is unusual, because normally you're focused on Richey and Nicky's extraordinary lyrics. And that's a treat, because THB contains some of the fiercest, yet understated, guitar work, backed by drumming that feels unlike almost anything else. This album means so much to me on a purely emotional level, and yet I honestly believe that if I heard this for the first time out of context, I'd immediately consider it to be a masterpiece. As it is, the knowledge that Richey, a man out of time, on his own, surrounded by his books, his thoughts and his declining mental health, put pen to paper on this to outline his deepest emotions, before leaving us all, is almost too much to bear. The beauty of some of the lyrics in the midst of all the horror, the grime and the debased is startling. The positioning of poetry like 'I want to walk in the snow and not spoil its purity', or the whole of This Is Yesterday, juxtaposed with something like Archives of Pain or Die in the Summertime, is sublime. I love it, I love them and that will never change.

eh

This is #day125 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... when it comes to essential albums, Nine Inch Nails has The Downward Spiral, The Cure has Disintegration (but also Pornography, right?), and the Manic Street Preachers have The Holy Bible. While the band's catalog has a number of excellent albums, I particularly connect with their more recent releases like 2018's Resistance Is Futile (which holds a special place for me, as it was the first album my wife and I bonded over as mutual Manics fans, and we look forward to Critical Thinking as well), The Holy Bible stands apart as their darkest, heaviest, and most striking work. This is also the last album to feature Richey Edwards (except the 2009 Journal for Plague Lovers, where the lyrics are his), and this fact adds a layer of tragic poignancy to the album's already brooding atmosphere. Until today, I hadn't fully engaged with the lyrics, and they certainly pack a punch (Hell, for some of the inspirations for the lyrics on the album, the band visited concentration camps). What to say about prostitution, the Holocaust, self-starvation, serial killers, the death penalty, fascism, suicide, and other topics? You bet. The post-punk, almost gothic nature of the music (the Manics cited Magazine, Wire, Joy Division, and Siouxsie and the Banshees as bands that inspired the musical direction of The Holy Bible) enhances its emotional impact, and tracks like "She Is Suffering," "4st 7lb," "Faster," "The Intense Humming of Evil," (the drumming vividly echoes "Atrocity Exhibition"), and many more are standouts. Of course, The Holy Bible is one of those albums you must hear before you die. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day126.

Hans nöd fertig gloset, irgendwie kei bock gha, naja

huuui depri 90er musig post grunge okay. hallo sevi. aber isch no cool? seeehr angsty. ifwhiteamerica dingsbums no cool wieder seeehr angsty aber de guy singt huuere geil. sehr coole song. bin etz sochli am durecruise und bin bi mausoleum. es isch alles irgendwie cool und mega deprimierend aber no nice? chan glaub nöd meh als es 3 geh. aber ich schätzed irgendwie. etz bini bim zweitletste und s wird etz scho ehner miserable.

uhh recht grungy ouh nei de arm tropf:( yes findi megaaa finds bis jz sehrsehr cool, s isch chli weird aber nöd z fest omg de bass bi archives of pain riese refrain (erinneret mich sehr ah nirvana) und denn chli es ruhigers solo, mega revol isch mal chli es chürzers lied wo aber en rechte ohrwurm isch hahah ja sie schaffed iwie fast jede refrain recht catchy z mache, aber iwie au ganz ufe komischi, nöd konventionelli art the intense humming of evil erinneret mi chli ah korn??? eifach weniger weird aber finds sehr spannend pcp findi mega en coole vibe, recht punkig omg ich lieb pcp??? de funny refrain, de mega psoitivi vibe am ganze ich loses gad tum zweite mal und ich LIEBS?? hans scho vorher cool gfunde aber jz bim zweite mal machts na gill meh spass archives of pain findi würkli soo geil

Kräftige Rockmusik mit penetrant klagendem Sänger.

Not good. Not bad.

This is another never heard of ‘em before album. Not bad, a bit gimmicky with voiceover samples etc on most of the tracks. It was the nineties and everyone was doing it so, ok. So is the album.

I liked this, was heavier and lyrically very dark. Really interesting album

Another band i have seen live. Very good album but not my favourite but still worthy of a 4. It's clear that this album was heavily influenced by Edwards struggle with depression and alcoholism.

I feel so mixed about this album, the kind of album that in theory should be one of my absolute faves but its execution is not my favorite. It has a cool, dark rock sound that takes from some of older post-punk/goth as well as the better parts of hard rock, it sounds like my thing but somewhere along the way the album either fades into the background or has songs with amazing and incredible parts and other more meh that just don't quite click with me. It's almost like if I could cut some songs it would be one of the coolest things ever and don't get me wrong, it IS a good album but I feel like it hasn't quite clicked with me in the way I wish it did

Highlight of their career

Quite difficult to listen to this, knowing what happened afterwards. It still sounds good and Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart is still just about the most accurate song title ever written. Except for the apostrophe, obviously!

Ifamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart may win for the longest title. This band was interesting, though I don’t know if it was a “1001 Must Listen.” It had a post-punk/post-grunge ‘00s feel that sat isomewhere in between Collective Soul and Radiohead, with a bit of Placebo and Cure mixed it. Of Walking Abortion was pretty cool as a song, and I really enjoyed the vibe of She is Suffering, immediately following. It’s interesting that I had never heard of them before. Overall, not bad! I’m probably going to give them a few more listens.

Dude! I totally thought this was going to be 90s Brit pop and it was way more Living Colour. Some political and just overall life vibes with the spoken interludes. It was way more rock heavy than I expected. Nothing particularly jumped out at me but it was pretty decent. I doubt I'll ever listen to this one again. But I wouldn't mind hearing it again.

A real fuck-off album from some real lads, the depth of this album was a pleasant surprise. It's so political and well-thought out without ever turning posh or aiming for appeal. A bit much at times, but a distinct work of art from the mid 90's 3.75/5

Seems like pretty average 90s rock

Solid 90s (Brit?) rock I was not previously familiar with

It started out strong but fizzled out by the end. "Yes" is amazing and should've been a single. I expected a lot better from this album. It was just monotonous and I couldn't catch the lyrics. Can't wait until my next album on the list. 2 stars for "The Holy Bible".

Not bad

Who knew some of the most anti-establishment and truly stong left leaning bands would be Welsh? I love the Manics in many of their forms, and while I'm more familiar with their later albums - revisiting this record, especially given the current political climate - it's quite on point throughout. Like most Manics albums it takes a few tries to really know the record - and this exercise does not make it easy - however grew to love most of the tracks now, and as a full record, it's a strong, poignant and cohesive piece of political art.

In one sense this is better than I expected and I went in basically cold as I had no notion of what this would sound like. Timing is good. Drums are solid. I found the guitar to be pretty monotonous and the vocals are a little too hair band for my liking. If you played me the whole album and then played me one track again, I couldn't identify it against any other track on the album.

I’ve never been compelled to read every word in every song on an album until today. This is not how I saw my day materializing… As a kid growing up in the late 80s / early 90s, MSP was in the ears of mostly by smart collegiate minded people who wore rugby shirts and drove Volvos and came from wealthy families, so I just assumed from their fan base I wouldn't like them. And maybe back then, I truly wouldn't've. Then there’s the whole religion biblical references to the band and the album… a complete turnoff… However, the whole back story about Richard Edwards provided a hook and intrigue, so I read on and dove into the album. It's dark, really dark. This dude Richard was into self-harm, starving himself and his disappearance is widely considered a result of death by suicide. The lyrics are self-torturous, self-loathing and full of pessimistic disgust. Traditionally, this isn’t something I’m drawn toward, but the songs and arrangements are spot on for emerging 90’s grunge from abroad. It seems wrong to say that I ‘enjoyed’ this album, but I really, really liked it. It’s got a great sound and the song meanings are so out of the ordinary. https://genius.com/albums/Manic-street-preachers/The-holy-bible

“The Holy Bible” gets off to a great start with “Yes,” and I’m quickly wondering why I know the name but not the music. Or why I know the name, but not the story of the disappearance of lyricist and guitarist Richey Edwards five months after this album was released. Seems like a momentous story right at the time I was really starting to pay attention to music. I assume it was a bigger story in the UK?

A hidden gem of the early 90s, buried amongst Britpop no doubt. The bass and lead guitars are great.

I’m glad I got one of their records since I have heard a lot about this band. There are things to like here, like the hard rocking guitar riffs and unique vocals, but I just didn’t care for most of it.

In 1994, while Britpop was throwing one endless party across the UK, a four-piece from Wales dropped a Molotov cocktail into the festivities. The Holy Bible is a raw, unflinching exploration of darkness and despair, a stark contrast to the boisterous highs of the time. Six months later, Richey Edwards disappeared, leaving behind an album that feels as prophetic as it is painfully personal. Richey’s lyrics are the beating heart of The Holy Bible. His words are as devastating as they are intelligent, capturing everything from political decay to body image issues to self-destruction. On “4st 7lb,” Edwards confronts anorexia with chilling precision, while “Archives of Pain” delivers a scathing critique of historical atrocities. The man behind these lyrics was spiralling, and the voyeuristic nature of the album—listened to in hindsight—makes it feel like an intimate, unsettling glimpse into his psyche. Musically, the band shed their earlier Guns N’ Roses-inspired bombast, opting for a more concise and claustrophobic sound that drew heavily from post-punk, goth, and echoes of The Clash. The guitars are jagged, the drums industrial, and Bradfield’s voice cuts through it all with unrelenting ferocity. Tracks like “Yes” and “Faster” are unyielding, while “The Intense Humming of Evil” suffocates you with its bleak atmosphere. The sound mirrors the album’s content—nothing is comforting here, there are no soft edges to cushion the blow. In the years after Edwards’ disappearance, the Manics embraced a more polished, anthemic sound on albums like Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. These records brought commercial success but left behind the visceral, confrontational energy that defines The Holy Bible. Where those albums offered catharsis, this one opts for discomfort. For a fleeting moment in 1994, the Manics captured a scathing snapshot of the world’s injustices in a way few others dared. The Holy Bible stands as one of the most uncompromising albums of its era. While not an easy listen, its brutal honesty and thematic depth make it essential for those who rejected the polished veneer of Cool Britannia. It’s an album that never sought to comfort—it sought only to confront. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Maybe Would this release make my personal list? Had I lived in Britain at the time, I feel I would have had a bigger connection to this band and album. Will I be listening to it again? For sure.

мало что осознала из музыки, зато почитала про потерявшегося участника, ух. надо их в принципе продолжать, надежды на них высокие

What an amazing album. I feel like this album got swept under the rug with Kurt's suicide the year prior basically signaling the death of the grunge movement. And to have a depressed guitarist/songwriter who disappeared in 1995 never to have his body found and only declared legally deceased in 2008 makes for an even interesting backstory to this album. I can't believe I hadn't ever listened to this. Such a precursor to post-grunge and emo in the early 2000's. I enjoyed this album beginning to end. I couldn't understand a lot of the lyrics but the music itself carried my interest. I need to read the rest of the lyrics as they seem to all be pretty depressing.

I have always loved this album. It's bleak, it's dark, it's a demonstration of the power of the band. This is surely the peak of their output.

Not really my taste.

Great album. Classic MSP

I was expecting another boring art piece album when I saw the cover but was pleasantly surprised. Pretty rocking album and the weirdness of the band members disappearance made for an interesting read while enjoying the album.

## In-Depth Review of *The Holy Bible* by Manic Street Preachers Released on August 30, 1994, *The Holy Bible* stands as a pivotal moment in the discography of the Manic Street Preachers. The album is a complex tapestry woven from dark themes, intricate lyrics, and a distinctive sound that challenges listeners both musically and intellectually. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its lasting influence, while also outlining its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *The Holy Bible* are primarily penned by Richey Edwards, whose haunting words explore a myriad of heavy themes including: - **Sex Work**: The album opens with “Yes,” which delves into the commodification of bodies and the moral complexities surrounding sex work. - **American Imperialism**: Tracks like “Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforoneday” critique American consumer culture and its global impact. - **Fascism and Genocide**: Songs such as “4st 7lb” address the horrors of historical atrocities and the human psyche’s darker aspects. - **Mental Health and Self-Starvation**: The title track and “Of Walking Abortion” reflect Edwards’ struggles with mental illness and self-harm, presenting a raw and unfiltered view of despair. Edwards’ lyrical style is marked by dense, often cryptic phrases that challenge conventional narrative forms. His use of metaphor and allusion creates a sense of urgency and provocation, inviting listeners to engage deeply with the material. ### ****Music Musically, *The Holy Bible* is characterized by its fusion of post-punk energy and hard rock intensity. Key elements include: - **Instrumentation**: The guitar work by James Dean Bradfield is sharp and aggressive, complementing Sean Moore's precise drumming. The bass lines are tight yet dynamic, contributing to the album's overall urgency. - **Production**: Produced by Dave Eringa, the album features a raw sound that enhances its lyrical intensity. The production choices emphasize the band’s punk roots while incorporating elements of metal and alternative rock. - **Vocal Delivery**: Bradfield’s vocal performance ranges from melodic to visceral, effectively conveying the emotional weight of Edwards’ lyrics. His ability to oscillate between beauty and aggression adds depth to tracks like “Faster” and “Revol.” ### ****Themes The overarching themes of *The Holy Bible* reflect a profound engagement with societal issues: - **Critique of Society**: The album serves as a scathing critique of contemporary society, addressing topics like political correctness, consumerism, and moral decay. - **Existential Despair**: Many songs grapple with feelings of hopelessness and existential dread, mirroring Edwards’ personal struggles with mental health. - **Historical Reflection**: The lyrics often reference historical events and figures, creating a dialogue between past atrocities and present realities. These themes resonate deeply with listeners, positioning *The Holy Bible* as not just an album but a socio-political commentary that remains relevant today. ### ****Influence *The Holy Bible* has had a lasting impact on both fans and artists alike: - **Cultural Significance**: The album has been cited as influential in shaping the Britpop movement that followed. Its boldness inspired many bands to tackle difficult subjects through their music. - **Legacy of Richey Edwards**: Following Edwards' disappearance in 1995, his legacy has only grown. Fans continue to connect with his words on a personal level, often viewing them as a source of comfort in times of struggle. - **Continued Relevance**: The themes explored in *The Holy Bible* resonate with contemporary issues such as mental health awareness, political unrest, and societal critique. This relevance has ensured its place in discussions about music that matters. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros: - **Lyrical Depth**: The complexity and emotional weight of the lyrics provide a rich listening experience that invites analysis. - **Musical Innovation**: The blend of genres creates a unique sound that distinguishes it from other albums of its time. - **Cultural Impact**: Its influence on future generations of musicians highlights its importance in rock history. #### Cons: - **Accessibility**: The dense lyrics may alienate some listeners who prefer more straightforward songwriting. - **Dark Themes**: The heavy subject matter can be emotionally taxing for some audiences, limiting its appeal to those seeking lighter music. - **Niche Appeal**: While critically acclaimed, its avant-garde approach may not resonate with mainstream audiences accustomed to more commercial sounds. ### Conclusion In summary, *The Holy Bible* by Manic Street Preachers is an album that transcends mere musicality; it is an exploration into the depths of human experience. With its intricate lyrics, innovative soundscapes, and profound themes, it challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about society and themselves. While it may not be for everyone due to its heavy content and complex nature, its enduring influence speaks volumes about its significance in the landscape of modern music. As we reflect on this landmark album nearly three decades after its release, it remains a testament to the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change.

Look, I listened to the whole thing, but I knew this was a 2-star album from the jump.

Хуета!

Quite a striking album. As that extremely passionate and pretty convincing review from the hardcore fan of Manic Street Preachers topping this section puts it, it's not always an easy ride or even a pleasant listen, but the record sure has its share of memorable moments. Just like its cover, this LP comes off as uncompromising art with disturbing yet also fascinating features. It's still poppy and melodic as far as rock albums generally go, oddly enough, especially in its first half, thanks to earworms "She Is Suffering", "Revol" or "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforoneday...". But it's also so "angular" that you feel like you might get pricked just listening to most those songs. Like some sort of British version of early Green Day, only far more political and provocative. And, indeed, the lyrical contents of the album feel like a testament documenting the obsessions of Richey Edwards during his last days on this earth. He didn't sing his own lyrics, James Dean Bradfield sang them instead. But his ghost ominously looms over the proceedings here. Stylistically speaking, not everything in the album aged gracefully, though. But it's still a *huge* improvement compared to the band's hackneyed, immature hard rock -inspired debut. After Edwards's disappearance, Manic Street Preachers would reinvent themselves as an even more melodic and streamlined britpop act -- still exploring the same leftist agenda, fortunately, but with various results musically and artistically speaking (from the overrated *This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours* -- whose very catchy singles belied the actual drowsy -- and even at times inert -- contents of the album, to the more exciting *Everything Must Go* and *Know Your Enemy* bookending that particular letdown). But I guess all of this is a story for another time, kiddies... 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5 for more general purposes (5 + 3.5) Number of albums left to review: 15 (plus the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past versions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions) Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 423 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 253 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 313

Not bad, some bangers.

Fitting for the current world state

4 maybe 5

It was Ok.

I'm going to have to come back to this one.

Good alternative rock - the Manics have a good sound. I don't think there is anything that differentiates them from other bands in this genre. To me, the most interesting thing about the band is the disappearance of their lyricist/rhythm guitarist Richey James. It's a solid album.

I loved this album! Brand new artist, I’ve been missing out. Will definitely be digging into their catalog more

9/10. At first, it seemed to be a mere decent Britpop album. However, as it progressed, it began getting better. The usage of what appears to be sampled quotes at the beginning of some songs, as well as the lyrics regarding numerous serious topics really bring a very interesting vibe to the album as a whole. I don't usually like the vocals from a Britpop album, but the vocals here are incredible. Speaking of vocals, I find the fact that the vocalist who sang in this song disappeared to give this album another meaning. I am also fond of the general instrumentation in this album. Overall, it's a really great listen, and all of its layers really intrigue me!!! :)

Dark UK alt rock with a lot of edge. Unique enough to stand out from other alt rock groups of the time. I enjoyed the majority of the music but another album where I didn’t enjoy the vocals much. Lyrics are great but it’s just not my thing. Can I have a happy album today please?

A great album. Enjoyed it since first hearing ‘Yes’ 12 years ago. Yes, ifwhiteamerica, walking abortion, archives of pain, 4st 7lb, mausoleum, intense humming all have powerful poignant lyrics and the sound is a good embodiment of British rock.

fantastic

Lyder meget godt! Det første jeg har hørt med MSP, meget mere punket end jeg regnede med

Ret cool lyd, lyder som britpop der bliver spist levende af post-punk

Very punk. (I found the backstory about the vocalist, Richy interesting.)

Really enjoyed this one. 4/5

I enjoyed the album and thought it had some good sound. Didn’t care for the rhetoric, but I was able to look past my biases. Standouts: Yes, She Is Suffering, 4st 7lb, Faster, and This Is Yesterday.

This, along with having seen them live in 1998, confirmed my suspicion that my overlap with this band is precisely one song: If you tolerate this your children will be next (not on this album).

The uncompromising and unrelenting creative vision of Richey Edwards for his outfit Manic Street Preachers reaches its apogee with The Holy Bible. Thirteen tracks of haunting, disparate topics keeps this record on the kind of edge sharp enough to cut through bone, never mind skin and muscle. Along with samplings of audio from newscasts, documentaries and obscure movies, the music displayed here rattles around the brain to the point of impending stickiness. Edwards' disappearance in early 1995 (he would be declared dead in 2008) has proven to be a millstone for The Holy Bible, yet it doesn't diminish the potency it obtains.

Hmmm...So I kind of like the music on this one. There are some good guitar riffs and the melodies really work. I find myself overall enjoying the songs on the surface. I liked Faster and This is Yesterday. Its the lyrics I start to have issues with...but its not for their meaning. I agree with the sentiment and feelings in the music, they really are bringing light a lot of important issues and aren't trying to sugar coat it but go hard and deep. However, there is something a little white privilege mansplainy and holier than though about the way they present it. There is a way to ally with groups and explain feelings, but for some reason the level of raw and unfiltered lyrics almost push them into a cheesy "we know better" than those actually immediately impacted by the issues. But it was also the 90's and this fit music of that time period. I might check if they have more current stuff to see if that vibe continues or was just the 90s vibe.

Pretty cool. I might like this album more with a few more listens but no time for that.

I didn't know anything about this band or Richey Edwards before today. He was going through a next level tortured existence. The story of his disappearance is pretty wild. While suicide by drowning is the most obvious and probable outcome, I like to think he disappeared into obscurity and somehow escaped his demons. As far as the album goes, I didn't really know what to expect, but it was actually pretty good. The political topics and mental health themes were solid (though I couldn’t really understand the lyrics so I followed along with some of them on the app), and it wasn't over the top musically. I liked how they started some of the songs with different snippets to set up the theme of each track too. Not too shabby at all!

I heard of this band and this album as a teen, and have somehow not heard a note of the Manic Street Preachers music. Not what I expected! At the start it sounds oddly like the bits of 90s Japanese rock I've heard, everything including the vocal cadence. Then later it starts to sound like something like Muse, or I'm kinda sick of the sound or something, and I don't dig it. HOWEVER, I find it touching that the band continues to split a quarter of their earnings and set up a microphone each time for a guy who disappeared in 1995, and that is worth the upgrade to 3 stars.

These guys are not what I thought they were! First half of the album stronger than the second, but carried me through nonetheless.

Awesome from start to finish. Archives of Pain is the highlight but honestly it’s all good.

An emotional and disturbing masterpiece, this is the manics best work, but can be such a hard listen knowing what happened to Richey, he was going through these horrific themes himself, which sadly does give authenticity to the art.

Pessimism won't get you far, even in the realm of music. I'm not an advocate for it, particularly when it drives all the focus into the lyrics and none into the actual sound. The music is very brash, unrefined, and there's little for the ear to grab onto so that you can recognise and predict the music later on. The (rhythm) guitar playing, in particular, is punky, heavily distorted noise that probably should have been taken out. The lead and bass are fine but nothing notable. Even the lyrics – so dark, grim, and utterly depressing that they're surely the focus of the album – are next to impossible to discern without straight up Googling them. The lyrical enunciation is poor even for post-punk/alt-rock standards, and the melodies aren't exactly memorable or catchy either. Sure, the lyrics themselves definitely come from the heart, but given the quality of the package they're delivered in, I'd rather just read them from an agitated political revolutionary's memoir. The Holy Bible isn't necessarily actively bad like other 1-star albums on this list, but it has very little good going for it. I can't think of much to compliment, and there aren't any standout tracks. She Is Suffering and 4st 7lb are maybe the only tracks I partially liked, but I couldn't tell you why. Maybe the chorus of 4st 7lb was kind of catchy. P.C.P. has a good energy too, and the sound was fairly enjoyable. Very bad album cover art. Though I will say – it definitely makes a statement. To those of you calling this the "greatest album of all time" (there are surprisingly many of you), I ask: in which ways does The Holy Bible outperform OK Computer? Abbey Road? Rumours? The Stranger? Tapestry? The Dark Side Of The Moon? Blue? Back to Black? (just to name a few.) 1/5 Key tracks: 4st 7lb, She Is Suffering, P.C.P.

I quite enjoyed this one! Very cool musical choices overall, britpop with punk edges executed really well!

They tried to be interesting, but failed.

I mean I didn’t like it

The Holy Bible was a really good album. The first few songs weren't exactly the greatest to me, either that or i just wasn't in the groove yet. But it was by track 4 that it really started to grow on me. The tracks could either be fast, frenetic and fun, or they could be much more villainous with some pretty haunting melodies especially with those bass lines. I still do not think that any of the songs from this album are bad either, sure the first 3 might have been a little forgettable but they still were good. Geez, why do so many britpop albums go this hard? Best Song: The Intense Humming of Evil Worst Song: Yes

Better than the other manic street preachers album on this list, pretty compelling given the story of the lead singer at the time but i still did not enjoy it

Pretty heavy album, been a while since I listened to it before and I don't recall thinking it was really good, but this time it really is

Welsh Altrock. Goes hard. Pretty angsty. Reminds me of US rockbands from that time. Fantastic rock album. Very ‘süffig’.

Some tunes but I think it out stays it's welcome a bit.

Forgettable

You can tell the difference in this and post-Richey Manics. This feels better than some of the better known later stuff. Some quite dark lyrics highlighting his state of mind at the time. Not sure if I would call it an enjoyable listen at times but not a bad effort.

Another bunch of hypocrites "Do as I say, not what I do"

It's a Dark record. Though it's a great. One.

I'm going to have to go back and listen to Everything Must Go, because I really enjoyed The Holy Bible. The sound is a little more impactful and the song writing more appealing to my sensibilities. I've seen the cover so many times and I always assumed it was for an alt-metal album or something.

4 out of 5. Another album from a band I've heard of before but hadn't listened to yet, and this was a pleasant surprise with their melodic blitzes.

First time listening to Manic Street Preachers. Cool alternative rock style with punk attitude and drumming.

I’m not sure if it’s the before photo in a weight loss billboard of an album cover or the overwhelming mixing in the bass/low end, but this “masterpiece” did not resonate with me the way I hoped it would.

The Manic Street Preachers deliver their sermon on human depravity with all the subtlety of pyrotechnics at a funeral march.

This really made my stomach hurt but in a good way and in a bad way

There wasn't a hook or a melody that I could get into.

I like the energy of the album. Grim lyrics are always a plus with punk-leaning music.

Had to double check when this came out - these guys sound very modern. Overall I really liked the album and one of the better surprises. 8/10.

I didn’t like this one bit

Good album for the times but I don’t think it holds up

Do you like to listen to songs that have lyrics about politics and might be a little controversial? The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers has songs that you might like. I thought this was a good album I liked the instrumental, his vocals and the lyrics. I like the sound of the bass that this album has, He sounds like Freddy Mercury without the high vocals. This is a great album I would listen to in the background of whatever I am doing.

have you ever listened to a song that had good instruments but not good lyrics wells that how I think about the first album it has good instrument use but this song to does not have good lyrics and seems like a song I would rather not listen to or would skip over on the radio to hear something that would be better than this song is not good to me because I don't like the lyrics and I would not recommend listening to this because it is not interesting other than the instruments that are played in it

the meaning of this is that america isn't probably the free country as it claims to be. i like the vibe of the song. i think that the meaning of the song 'faster' is that we are too soft in the skin and we need to toughen up

1st song-i dont like it because it was so werid and like it didnt make any sense and album is so mean 2nd song- the same thing but this one its ok but i just didnt like it how it sound 3rd song- um i like it little bit but ion like it because it didnt make any sense

Do you want upbeat rock songs? You should listen to these songs! In my opinion, I like these songs and I recommend that you listen to them! I like the upbeat rock songs that they are. And I love the guitar in the background. I don't listen to the lyrics but I like the songs in general, l like the way his voice sounds. I highly recommend you listen to these songs, if you want upbeat rock songs.

I didn't like this album. While I thought its lyrics were good, I don't think it goes well with the music. Which kinda ruins this album for me. I don't recommend this album, while its lyrics certainly are powerful, it doesnt go well with the music which kind ruins it.

Kind of sounds like finding the missing link between Queen and My Chemical Romance (Christ, I'm going to be crucified for that take). A lot of punk and glam snot throughout. Hits a lull in the middle but manages to pick it back up. Strong lyrically. Favorite tracks: "Of Walking Abortion", "She Is Suffering", "The Intense Humming Of Evil", "PCP"

Punky rock

creative and passionate but it’s all so on the edge it’s like an emotional jackhammer

Oh wow another generic 90s grunge band. *checks notes* and what’s this? They’re welsh? And what’s this? A satirical politics song? Daring today aren’t we?

Pretty gud

Good. odd but good

Alternative rock. I liked it a lot, wish the vocalist was a little more clear. I thought he was hard to understand. Also hated the song with feedback, always hurts my ears.

devo dire simpatico, ma non memorabile

My experience was made ten times better by having the lyrics in front of me, as I couldn't make out more than the odd word otherwise. I had a chance to see the Manics a few years before this album dropped, as they played at my university. But I considered them too mainstream at the time, so gave it a miss, big regrets now. This is a definite five star album for me. I hadn't heard a single track before, although I was aware of this album's existence. I figured it would come up at some point on this project and now it has. Far better than I had even hoped for, an excellent mix of distressing lyrics and musicianship.

I think this would get even better with subsequent listens. Surprised me.

Pretty standard Welsh rock tunes. Didn't notice any particularly standout tracks.

10/10

Sounded so much newer than 1994. I was really imagining a lot of this fitting in with radio rock of the late 90s and wondering why I had never heard it. So engaging and well-produced and loved the bass.

a lot of the content here is really good, but richie edwards voice has always been a non starter for me

This was fine, but kind of bland I guess? I feel like I've heard this album before even though I haven't because it sounds like half the rock albums on this list.

less yelling than I anticipated! not a single megaphone! barely street preachers at all! 2.5

This was fun!

Hey, this sounds kind of like Against Me! I've heard a couple tracks by these guys but never an album, and I will have to give this another listen. Another loss for Bitches Who Can't Understand Lyrics the First Seven Times They Hear them!!! I bet there's some good critique in here.

As much as the cover disturbs me, the music is actually pretty good. 4/5

Really fucked with this album. It gave me hints of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and some other bands I’m blanking on but I really enjoyed it.

This is probably one of my lower 4s, but I really liked the album. Fun to hear something that you like that you’ve never heard before. Sounds very familiar and like the kind of music I would’ve liked outside of the list. Very glad this album was on here!

I really liked this one! The 90s alternative sound was right up my alley and I’m honestly surprised I hadn’t ever heard of them before. I can hear different influences from previous musical acts and what I assume are influences on later bands. The lyrics are full of introspection, political commentary, and critiques of popular culture. They can be dark at times and tackle some difficult subject matter, but I think that adds a lot to the experience. I would not mind at all to have more Manic Street Preachers albums.

I really like the sound of Manic Street Preachers. An hour of it is a bit much, but for the most part I enjoyed this album. I'm terrible at listening to lyrics, so I'll take everyone's word that they're deep and meaningful. If this album was 15 minutes shorter I might give it a 4, but it's probably going to fall to a 3 with the length.

they could’ve cut the weird intros to these songs and made this album like 10 minutes shorter highlights: yes, faster, this is yesterday, p.c.p (oct 3 2024)

My mode of listening is so sound/sensation-forward that I usually can’t make heads or tails of a song’s lyrics until five or so times through. This is usually more rewarding since I’ve found greater appreciation for mediums in considering their base elements (music is sounds, not words), but it does have its drawbacks—especially so with rock. Since I don’t tend to hear the words on the first go around, rock tends to blend together for me, so there wasn’t another layer of melancholy here as indicated by the entry in the book. It didn’t sound like much of anything, really.

Kunnon pre- My Chemical Romance! Hyvä. Vähän enemmän bängereitä vois olla, tiedämme MSP:llä olevan taidot siihen. Ensikuulemalta tässä ei ole kuin She is suffering. Mutta etenkin alussa hyvin vahva meno, b-puolella emompi eli vähän puuduttavampi. Ei ehkä kirkkain nelonen, mut nautin suuren osan ajasta.

Bändin huolitellusta etukenoisuudesta ja kertsien koosta huolimatta kuulen rajallisen määrän todellisia koukkuja, enkä vakuutu levyn pituus/inspiraatio-suhteesta.

This album grew on me more and more as I delved deeper into it. While I'm not initially a big fan of the vocalist's voice, I'm sure it will grow on me over time. This album offers a raw and gritty alternative sound with influences from grunge, post-punk, and punk. For anyone who enjoys the raw, stripped-down sound of indie rock, this is an album you'll probably appreciate.

I find the Manics a bit too serious, lack a too much melody and are not quite as clever as they think they are.

I've been aware of The Manic Street Preachers for a while, but never really listen to their stuff before. Very interesting guitar parts, almost metal at some points. I think the vocalist is what is holding me back the most here. His voice is fine, but something about the way he sings just doesn't mesh the best with the instrumentals in my opinion. Putting that aside, this album is constantly shifting and throwing out new ideas that keep you on your toes.

This album was better than the last MSP one that came through the rotation. I still find it weird that reviews call these masterpieces and other highly praised words. I don’t hear it.

Næ ekki að tengja við þessa plötu.

This wasn’t bad, but I feel like it would translate better live

It’s a pretty decent 90s alt-rock album, but it is mostly significant for the personal tragedy surrounding it.

Kept hearing elements of Rush, Styx, and Queen while listening to this.

Du rock alternatif des années 90, avait normalement tout pour me plaire, mais, peut-être parce que j'en ai justement trop écouté, m'a semblé un peu générique. Je crois comprendre que concept et le sujet de l'album lui ont valu sa place dans ce classement, mais ça ne m'a pas marquée

Anger, desolation, remorse—this is just the bleakest album. It reflects the misery of turning 15 at the time; "soft skin now acne." "The Holy Bible" is also peak Manics, when they jettisoned Hollywood-style production in favour of making an entire album that sounded like it was recorded down a tube, but that finds beauty in its unpredictable timeshifts and razor-sharp guitar, when Richie found his voice and confidence as a writer, and before they became radio-friendly with "Everything Must Go," which has dated awfully compared to "The Holy Bible."

I liked this far more than I didn't. Very alternative, quite British, strong rock sound.

I had only heard of Manic Street Preachers in the 90s, never listened to them. But then i realized the music on this album is great! It's right up my alley. But those melodies are atrocious! By the 7th song I didn't want to listen anymore. By the 10th song his voice started to grate on me too. Too bad for me I guess. Their fans don't seem to care (or think I'm wrong) so good for them.

I really liked it - my kind of music. They remind me a bit of Rush.

Something that this list has really helped me with, is making me aware of other fantastic britpop bands other than just Blur, Pulp, and Oasis. And Manic Street Preachers are no exception. This fantastic powerhouse of an album delivers some of the most fun, energetic, and diverse britpop I have heard in a while.

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers remains a powerful and haunting album, resonating deeply even decades after its release. The raw intensity of the lyrics, penned by Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire, confronts listeners with unflinching examinations of human suffering, political corruption, and personal despair. Musically, the album blends post-punk aggression with melodic hooks, creating a soundscape that's both abrasive and captivating. The production, handled by Steve Brown, captures the band's urgency and intensity, ensuring that every note and word hits with maximum impact. James Dean Bradfield's vocal delivery is both impassioned and harrowing, perfectly complementing the dark themes explored throughout the record. The album's cover art, featuring a triptych by Jenny Saville, adds another layer of depth to the project, visually representing the stark realities discussed within. Even today, The Holy Bible stands as a testament to the band's willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on, refusing to shy away from the uncomfortable truths of existence. Its influence can be seen in the work of countless artists who have drawn inspiration from its fearless approach. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 9 STAND OUT TRACK - Yes

Legitimately, some of the most troubling lyrics I have heard. Not only is the content horrifying, nothing rhymes and few of the lines flow together nicely- giving rise to discomfort and concern for the author. Rarely do I hear such disregard for lyrical flow. The words almost mean more to the author than the song. However, when you try to analyze the lyrics they seem almost too complex to make sense. The author's mania feels very real and very sinister. The whole thing is haunting.

One of the angriest albums that I've ever heard -- not anger like shouty-shouty -- but bitterness in all its nihilistic rage. Its core is just cynical and dark expressions of societal displeasure. Therapy's good for you, boys. Musically, it's fine -- although I felt like it kinda goes up its own ass a little too far. Maybe once their guitarist disappeared, they were able to lighten up a little bit. Anyway, it's OK. Unexpected bangers: She is Suffering, Faster

This album is incredible. Truly could not get enough of it. Lyrics, vocals, instrumentals...just perfectly in my wheelhouse. Favorite track: Faster

The songs have great themes, but I could not stand the singer's voice.

Very dark and intense album with heavy lyrics. I liked the tight and punctual playing. It's not the kind of album I would listen to often, because of its heaviness, and it is also a bit too long. But credit where credit is due, it is a good album even if it is not quite my taste. 'Yes' is my favorite song from it.

Honestly quite liked it, tho the pc song was interesting. Reading the bio on the band (and listening to the album) also made me very surprised that this is my aunt's favourite band

A gutteral cry of pain and righteous anger. You can clearly here that they come out of waters that gave us acts like Green Day and The Smashing Pumpkins. They have the straightforward drive and under produced sound of a post punk, but also some of the use of tone and effect that is so noticeable in the Pumpkins. The album came out in 1994, and Foo Fighters formed that same year, and boy do the first 3 or 4 tracks on the album sound like something Grohl et. al. drew from. I'm almost sure to revisit this album, as a listen through with the lyrics in front of me is sure to bear some fruit.

So I had never heard of this band or album before - so I really didn't what to expect - but I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would... Liked the music, liked the vocals, enjoyed the lyrics for the most part, and liked how they worked in the little pre-recorded spoken word effects throughout (i.e. just the right amount, as most artists go way too far with that stuff)… Found several tracks on the album that I thought were extremely well-done IMO – “If White America…” – 4 out of 7-stars… “She Is Suffering” – 4 out of 7-stars… “Archives Of Pain” – 5 out of 7-stars… “Die In The Summertime” – 4 out of 7-stars… “The Intense Humming Of Evil” – 5 out of 7-stars… That’s way more goodness than I was expecting – and most of the other tracks are solid as well… Also appreciated the diversity of sound throughout the album – just really good balance start-to-finish, and a fairly original sound from this band – all score points with me… Read a bit of their bio on Wikipedia, and the details of the disappearance of Richey Edwards – the bands lyricist and rhythm guitarist, was absolutely fascinating, though incredibly sad… Reminded me of demise of Ian Curtis from Joy Division on the eve of their initial North American Tour… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richey_Edwards#Disappearance_and_presumed_death Probably would give this a 3.50 if I could, but just can’t get it to a 4 – so a really well-done 3 it is…

Correctos.

Was looking forward to this but disappointed

Nothing to see here, just some background noise.

Weird 80’s sound, like an album they would have played at the local head shop or skate shop. It’s pretty great and not what I expected. Almost punk, I dig it.

I have heard of these guys, but never listened before. It grew on me a lot during the second listen

Pretty good stuff - I feel like they had more freedom as artists by this point and had the chance to do something edgier. My biggest problem with them is that I struggle to understand what they say, so a lot of the lyrics are missed on me.

Wow, this blew me away! Especially the back half of the album, Faster, This Is Yesterday, and P.C.P. are all killer songs. I’m sad I didn’t discover this sooner

It had its moments, and I almost thought I was going to like it, but those moments quickly disappeared into the abyss.

I never heard of these guys before. I like this better than shoegaze. And the disappearance is interesting to read about. More interesting than the lyrics.

Fuck the Brady Bill!

La verdad no quede tan satisfecho con este disco, en términos subjetivos y personales, no logre conectar mucho con las canciones, ya sea por el genero y el estilo de la música, o por el contexto lirico de esta (el cual creo que es una gran razón de porque este disco es un clásico). Para mi la primera mitad del disco mostro ser más fuerte y consistente, pero luego perdió esa energía en mi opinión. Creo que le daré otra oportunidad si.

Notable por sus letras y al mismo tiempo cuesta leerlas. De alguna forma no se puede atribuir el éxito de este disco ya sea critico o comercial a la desaparición de Richey Edwards, cuando el disco salió tuvo una recepción tibia y con el tiempo su éxito ha crecido. Este no es un disco con arreglos grandilocuentes o que demuestre virtuosismo. En lo personal disfruto la instrumentación del mismo y me gusta el uso de efectos en bajo y guitarra asi como la implementación de samples que le dan un sonido medio industrial a algunas canciones, son cosas interesantes pero nada del otro mundo. Sin embargo es verdad que el disco pierde impulso a la mitad y quizás podría beneficiarse de un orden distinto de canciones. Finalmente en cuanto a las letras, sin duda el punto mas fuerte del disco, al mismo tiempo es como un accidente automovilístico, la gente no puede evitar ver y darle atención y al mismo tiempo se arrepienten al ver mas de lo que podrían tolerar. Temas favoritos: "The intense Humming of Evil", "Yes", "Of Walking Abortion", "ifwhiteamerica..."

I just didn't connect with this and wondered why, again, two consecutive albums from a group that feel very similar. Maybe I missed something. I think it might have been a bit more interesting than Everything Must Go, but I'm not coming back to this one anytime soon.

Well, hmmm... I think the biggest issue was that I was not in a mood for this rock album. I mean, it was coming across as a solid rock album, but it just felt a bit removed from me.

An interesting mix of styles and influences made this a compelling listen. Feels like a proper album as opposed to a collection of unrelated songs. Don't know how often I'll want to revisit but it was hard to look away.

A few times during this project I’ve noticed an alignment certain days and the album that appears. The first Christmas for this project the album was the Phil Spector Christmas album… and I think The Smith’s “The Queen is Dead” if I recall correctly… Not having familiarity with The Manic Street Preachers I didn’t notice anything peculiar as I played this in the car on my way to buy supplies for a 4th of July barbecue after the first song I heard an ad for a tribute to Ronald Reagan followed by the song “Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit’sworldwouldfallapart”. I immediately added this bleak and insightful song to my 4th of July playlist. The Holy Bible is an angry, not too subtle diatribe one the ills of the world of the early 1990s. Unfortunately the diatribe seems to have only become more appropriate today. Between the US Supreme Court, dysfunctional Congress and the surreal race to become the President some angry political rock is far too appropriate. It’s tough to be facing existential problems without confidence in those leading the response. I read background on this on Wikipedia and learned this was the last album before lead rhythm guitarist/lyricist Richey Edwards disappeared. This saddened me as I listened to the dark, strongly political and sometimes quite personal lyrics. Sometimes not even having the skills to create great musical compositions can alleviate the darkness and pain of the world. I guess I am fortunate in that I’ve been able to sidestep life-threatening darkness and depression for most my life. Then again I’ve never quite so eloquently expressed my fears, frustrations and anger as Richey Edwards did. I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to really listen to this and reflect on Richey Edwards. RIP.

This is pretty damn good. I can see this moving to a 4 star on repeated listenings. Still a 3 for now.

So this is what the Manics did before they become BBC Radio 2 rock whores. A welcome reminder that they were hardcore AF in their early career.

Slight turn up for the books, I was expecting to really hate this, but turns out it’s kind of passable. My past history is not being big on these guys, and I find the vocalist’s raspy shouting like nails down a chalkboard. But somehow found myself being slightly drawn in to a couple of the songs in the middle. I think musically it felt more heavy (grungy in places) than their more famous work, which suited me. From a quick post listen google it turns out Richy Edwards was the main songwriter prior to his disappearance after this album. Guess that may explain it. Scrapes a 3.

Was never a manic fan and this is very much beige to me. Some of the shouty ones hit the spot but that is all.

Loved it! Bit samey in places…

On my first listen I loved this album. I'd been recommended it before but never bothered to listen until now, and considering Richey Edwards' mental state and disappearance soon after the album, the tracks seem unsettling at points. I highly recommend anyone who hasn't heard the record to listen, it's extremely underrated.

I like this more than their later work, it has an edge to it that feels genuine and angry, and even if they aren't so good with their grammar (it's) the songwriting feels just haunting enough for you to relate if you've gone through any of these feelings, and disturbed and worried if you haven't. However, the mix doesn't match the tone, as it feels really flat and doesn't allow any particular moment to shine. So, there are tons of great hooks and memorable moments, in theory, but by the end nearly every song sounds like the last, and while I enjoy the general sound enough to see it as a good time, I could also see it being a slog for those just wanting to rock out, and feeling blue-balled the whole time. Still, I think this effort is jarring yet catchy enough to win me over, and while Manic Street Preachers still haven't won me over completely, I can see why this is the defining moment for them.

Better than I expected but didn't do it for me.

It's always nice to get a new-to-me band and a new-to-me album, and this album not only ticks off both boxes, but was a pleasant surprise. I'd never have guessed they were Welsh, but that only adds to the pleasant surprise (mainly because I'm not aware of listening to too many Welsh bands). I wish the mixing was a bit better for hearing the lyrics and vocals, but I definitely like their sound and edge and the lyrics that I could make out are fittingly caustic and interesting. There are times where they're almost a rock/post-punk version of Ministry (in a good way), and other times where I'm also reminded of Jane's Addiction, but not in a imitative way. I love the title of the track "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart" (and enjoyed the song), but am bitterly disappointed that they used "it's" instead of "its" -- I foolishly assumed that Americans had the lock on that mistake.... Reading about the album and the band on Wikipedia adds quite a bit, I'll admit, as I would never have guessed that their main lyricist (Richey Edwards) was basically spiralling out of control during the album's creation, and sadly disappeared not long afterwards. (In retrospect, though, I might have guessed some aspects of his condition with the track "4st 7lb", except that my stone-to-pounds conversion powers are very limited.) Very sad.

Their name is accurate and this is unfortunate.

The content is heavy and the music on the rock side of 90s Brit pop. I don’t really like it though. I couldn’t hook onto any really melody or hook. Probably a 2.5 from me because they’re Welsh and the sad story about the Lyricist.

It's fine. It doesn't have the big singles or immediacy of Everything Must Go, but you can see where that is going to come from.

The Manic's have written a few decent songs but none of them live on this album. Everything here kind of sounds the same. 'Yes' & 'She Is Suffering' are the only songs I'd want to hear again. Not exactly bad to listen to but it's all just a bit one dimensional. The vocal delivery is mostly very samey and the music just sits in the background not really going anywhere. It's not bad but it's not essential listening either. 2- Stars (4/15)

Meh. Not bad, but not memorable. Not really my type of music, either.

I think this is a generational thing but not my cup of tea. The lyrics are fine and all (well written and they do make a point), the music itself just doesn't hit any chords with me.

Ok. Not bad. Not great

Solid dark Rock album

started strong but by the back half i was like wow a bunch of these just sounds like a more boring version of pixies (ex.: faster). still liked it though.

The story behind the making of the album and Richey Edward's personal issues seem to over shadow the actual record. The album starts off fast and hard and is quite listenable. It does lose energy and my interest towards the end and it's not something I would care to listen to often. The sound is fairly generic and I probably couldn't pick it out in a line, overall it's okay. It is sad this was the last album before Edward's disappearance.

I KNOW I BELIEVE IN NOTHING. BUT IT IS MY NOTHING. It's like the algorithm knew... Album 1001 is possibly my favourite album of all time. Possibly the only album which captures the bleakness of existing in the world, even 30 years on... Probably because people don't change, the world is always going to be this bad. Your idols speak so much of the abyss Yet your morals only run as deep as THE SURFACE Miss you Richey. Always x

Mere, mere… hvorfor har jeg aldrig lyttet til dem før! Fremragende plade, den tager vi lige endnu en gang.

Jeg hyggede mig med albummet. Flere sange som jeg godt kunne gøre igen. Blev en anelse afbrudt lytning, så nåede ikke at fordybe mig helt vildt.

Mere dystert og råt end de efterfølgende albums der skabte den store mainstream succes. Der noget over det der giver mig samme vibes som Joy Division. Måske det ikke er så underligt. Tragiske skæbner der fik et outlet gennem musikken.

I didn't really like this

One thing I think I've learned over the course of rating all these albums is that present mood is a big factor. I'm not sure I'd always give this a five, but today it felt just like what I wanted to listen to. I don't think the lyrics here are nearly as deep or meaningful as Richey thought they were. And the music is super bombastic, which I often find a turn-off. But today, it's a five.

I don't feel like I have much to say on this one. Pretty forgettable

SO SO FIRE I LOVED IT

Really not what I anticipated, based on the singles I knew by them. Really good rocker and a lot more noise rock and punk-y than I expected them to be. Multiple really cool songs out of this. Really glad I got to listen this, even with that ugly album cover.

One of those albums where I knew I was listening to a 3 the entire time. Completely unremarkable unexciting alt rock/britpop. First song was closest thing to a standout.