Manic Street Preachers’ acclaimed third album ‘The Holy Bible’ consists of fast paced, heavy music and dark lyrics. Occasional rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards wrote insane lyrics and that mixed with haunting guitars created an album that truly reflects human nature. It isn’t elegant but that is what makes it so effective. Each track is a poetic masterpiece in itself. The opener ‘Yes’, which is the highlight of the album for me, compares Richey’s life to that of a prostitute and describes the feeling of being cheapened by exploiting your mental health and coping through self-abuse. Being the opening track, it sets the tone for what is a journey into the cruelty of humanity. ‘Ifwhiteamerica...’, mostly written by bassist Nicky Wire, discusses American consumerism and how images of a perfect country contrast with violence and racism. The media’s glorification of serial killers is highlighted in ‘Archives of Pain’ and evokes controversy through its seemingly pro death penalty stance. ‘4st 7lb’ consists of a harrowing tale of a girl who suffering from anorexia and believes that, by starving herself, she is degrading into a purer and better state; this is reflected in Edwards’ own struggle with anorexia. ‘Faster’ examines how Richey lived his life amongst a judgemental society, who did not understand him. The chugging drums in ‘The Intense Humming of Evil’ mirror the train tracks of victims being sent to concentration camps in the Holocaust. ‘Die in the Summertime’ is an intense track reflecting how the narrator wants to die in their youth, the prime of their life (Richey Edwards went missing at the age of 27). It is hard to talk about ‘The Holy Bible’ without mentioning Richey’s disappearance in 1995. Some say ‘The Holy Bible’ is, in a way, a last will and testament for a man who was spiralling into oblivion and couldn’t live with the world around him. His disappearance only makes the album more upsetting to listen to. The music itself, written by drummer Sean Moore and vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, accentuates the narrative behind the lyrics. Paranoia-filled, intense guitars, a heavy bass and chugging drums perfectly capture Richey’s vision and genius. The audio samples featured in some tracks (such as ‘Yes’ and ‘Mausoleum’) only add to the soul-stirring atmosphere, each fitting the tone of the track flawlessly. It’s unsettling, cruel, heavy, brutal and, at times, difficult to listen to (‘4st 7lb’ for example) but that is what makes this album so perfect. Racism, the death penalty, the Holocaust, anorexia, suicide, prostitution and political correctness are just a few of the topics discussed in just 56 minutes and 17 seconds. Nothing is off limits. This is the greatest album of all time.
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
Breakdown
By Genre
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Top Styles
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By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
A Seat at the Table
Solange
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Sister
Sonic Youth
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
|
5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
|
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Repeater
Fugazi
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Arrival
ABBA
|
1 | 3.53 | -2.53 |
|
Parachutes
Coldplay
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Imagine
John Lennon
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
Stardust
Willie Nelson
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
1 | 3.19 | -2.19 |
|
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
|
1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
|
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
|
1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
|
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
|
2 | 3.88 | -1.88 |
|
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
|
2 | 3.86 | -1.86 |
Artists
Favorites
Tap an artist to see their albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 3 | 5 |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 4.67 |
| Manic Street Preachers | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 5 |
| New Order | 2 | 5 |
Controversial
Tap an artist to see their albums
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 1, 4 |
| Beatles | 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (44)
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Popular Reviews
I adore Siouxsie’s voice and the anxious, haunting atmosphere. An essential punk album
Not a pop-punk fan but I do love this one
Wish I could wipe this from my memory. Would give this shit zero stars
Pretty banging for an album with no words
1-Star Albums (10)
All Ratings (272)
Top tracks: 15 Step, Jigsaw Falling into Place
Not for me
Fuck yes Best tracks: Only Shallow, Blown A Wish
Best tracks: Ponderosa
Not really for me Best tracks: California Dreamin’, Monday Monday
Best tracks: Time Travellin’, Dooinit, The 6th Sense
YESSSS!! One of my favourite albums ever - easy 5/5 Best tracks: Is This It, New York City Cops, Take It Or Leave It, Hard To Explain
Best tracks: Deceptacon, The The Empty, My My Metrocard
Best tracks: Check The Rhime, Buggin’ Out, Verses From The Abstract, What?
Pretty banging for an album with no words
Best tracks: Agnus Dei, Little Sister
Best tracks: Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell, Shake Appeal, Raw Power
Best track: 2112
Fucking wicked
Roar
Best tracks: Trigger Cut, Conduit For Sale!
Faves!!!!
Fuck yessss
Second best album of all time
Wish I could wipe this from my memory. Would give this shit zero stars
A three star album made four stars with the epic final track
Manic Street Preachers’ acclaimed third album ‘The Holy Bible’ consists of fast paced, heavy music and dark lyrics. Occasional rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards wrote insane lyrics and that mixed with haunting guitars created an album that truly reflects human nature. It isn’t elegant but that is what makes it so effective. Each track is a poetic masterpiece in itself. The opener ‘Yes’, which is the highlight of the album for me, compares Richey’s life to that of a prostitute and describes the feeling of being cheapened by exploiting your mental health and coping through self-abuse. Being the opening track, it sets the tone for what is a journey into the cruelty of humanity. ‘Ifwhiteamerica...’, mostly written by bassist Nicky Wire, discusses American consumerism and how images of a perfect country contrast with violence and racism. The media’s glorification of serial killers is highlighted in ‘Archives of Pain’ and evokes controversy through its seemingly pro death penalty stance. ‘4st 7lb’ consists of a harrowing tale of a girl who suffering from anorexia and believes that, by starving herself, she is degrading into a purer and better state; this is reflected in Edwards’ own struggle with anorexia. ‘Faster’ examines how Richey lived his life amongst a judgemental society, who did not understand him. The chugging drums in ‘The Intense Humming of Evil’ mirror the train tracks of victims being sent to concentration camps in the Holocaust. ‘Die in the Summertime’ is an intense track reflecting how the narrator wants to die in their youth, the prime of their life (Richey Edwards went missing at the age of 27). It is hard to talk about ‘The Holy Bible’ without mentioning Richey’s disappearance in 1995. Some say ‘The Holy Bible’ is, in a way, a last will and testament for a man who was spiralling into oblivion and couldn’t live with the world around him. His disappearance only makes the album more upsetting to listen to. The music itself, written by drummer Sean Moore and vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, accentuates the narrative behind the lyrics. Paranoia-filled, intense guitars, a heavy bass and chugging drums perfectly capture Richey’s vision and genius. The audio samples featured in some tracks (such as ‘Yes’ and ‘Mausoleum’) only add to the soul-stirring atmosphere, each fitting the tone of the track flawlessly. It’s unsettling, cruel, heavy, brutal and, at times, difficult to listen to (‘4st 7lb’ for example) but that is what makes this album so perfect. Racism, the death penalty, the Holocaust, anorexia, suicide, prostitution and political correctness are just a few of the topics discussed in just 56 minutes and 17 seconds. Nothing is off limits. This is the greatest album of all time.
A guilty pleasure. Very catchy and liked the pianos but did take itself too seriously at times.
Yeah no thanks
Not a pop-punk fan but I do love this one
Absolutely gorgeous
I adore Siouxsie’s voice and the anxious, haunting atmosphere. An essential punk album
Cool as fuck
Abrasive, rough and epic
Solid pop album, only thing letting it down is ‘Welcome To New York’.
How many fucking albums by the Byrds must I get?
Dreadful
Gets an extra star for Brown Paper Bag