The Holy Bible

This record is actually killer. I expected some repetitive punk slop, but this is anything but that. Every riff has incredible creativity and is different every time unlike many punk riffs. The progginess of this album shocked me, and the odd time riffs made each song rhythmically awesome. Even the manipulation of 4/4 was super cool, especially how Edward's vocals are layered on top. Loved seeing how creative those things got. The bass is consistently cooking too, driving the record with nasty lead lines that make the content blistering. I also love the clips that play in between songs, making the album feel more connected and thematic. The best part about this record is the lyrical content and performance from Richey Edwards. His vocals are perfect and not obnoxious as other punk albums, and his bleak and angry soapbox lyrics make his disappearance even more haunting. Blew me away, very unpredictable listen.

Not an easy listen because the lyrics clearly indicate a person who is suffering. Musically though, it’s not bad. The instruments are tight.
This isn’t the typical three star “meh” album. This is a three star “I’m undecided if I like it or am disturbed by it” rating.

Another album that improved for me as it went on. The beginning felt a little too emo, but later tracks were more instrumentally heavy (while also being lyrically heavy). It just got very heavy as I read the wikipedia article, hearing that the poor lyricist had been suffering and disappeared shortly after this came out.

There are some marvelously intense postpunk moments and incisive lyrics (when I could catch what he was saying), and the title and intro of the second track made me nod approvingly. Knowing too much about it made it a sad rather than an angry listen, though.

I do love a dark, heavy rock album. This one has the added benefits of having strong riffs and bass lines, that 90s guitar sound, and some punk mixed in. Audio samples were also used strategically throughout. My favorite songs (because of the amazing riffs) were "Mausoleum" and "Die In The Summertime".

My least favourite genre from this process is nu metal. Although the sound and production is different. I think this album is structurally a nu metal album before they had the nu metal sound available. Which explains why I really didn’t enjoy it at all.

I had this thought about halfway through the album. Then it just kept on going. I’m adding a new qualifying for 1 star. “Makes me question why I’m doing this list”

I feel like this could be great album with a couple of changes:

-The production is horrible. I get its deliberately claustrophobic but someone deliberately shitting in your soup doesn’t make a good lunch. Really lacking any kind space or dynamics.

-The vocal delivery. Why does the sinGER put emPHASis on the weirdEST of syllABles. The lyrics are great in a sort of poetic journal sense but I’m not sure they actually scan when set to music.

Good indie rock band, that I've always struggled to enjoy.

No particular reason, just find it a harsh listen.

2.5

highkey epic but cover art not very good

Et av 90-tallets beste album? Hørt en og annen MSP-låt, men dette er første hele album tror jeg. Er kult at de gjør gitarsoloer gjennom hele, men det er liksom helt i bakgrunnen. Det er goth, punk, ballerock og masse annet å namedroppe på en gang. Albumet føltes kortere enn det var, så da er det vel bare å sette på enda en gang?

This was much faster and much more intense than I expected. I mostly know Manic Street Preachers for the later, much slower work, so this was a nice surprise.

Respectably good energy from these guys, but I found their style to really start to grate only a couple of songs in. Ehh. I did however enjoy their use of audio samples scattered throughout the album, and they hint at pretty interesting themes that are probably better explored in their lyrics.

Standouts: Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart • She Is Suffering • This Is Yesterday • P.C.P.

This reminds me, it's been a while since I listened to Motorcycle Emptiness 8 times in a day.

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers is a phenomenal album. It may not be their most accessible or their most commercially successful record, but for me it's their finest work. It doesn't have the big, radio-friendly hits of some of their later albums, yet as a complete listening experience it's more powerful, more consistent and ultimately far more rewarding.

What makes this album so compelling is the intensity of the writing. The lyrics are intelligent, dark and deeply poignant, exploring themes that few bands would dare to tackle. Knowing the struggles Richey Edwards was going through at the time gives the album even greater emotional weight, and it's impossible not to hear that pain and vulnerability running through the songs.

Musically, it's every bit as impressive. The guitars are sharp and urgent, the rhythm section drives everything forward, and James Dean Bradfield delivers the lyrics with passion and conviction.

Favourite tracks: It's difficult to pick just one because the album works so well as a complete piece, but "Faster", "Yes" are particular highlights.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't a weak song on the album. Every track earns its place and contributes to the overall experience.

Album artwork: A classic album cover that perfectly reflects the stark, uncompromising nature of the music inside.

This is too clean for punk, not hooky enough for pop. This was completely ignored by me at the time it was released based solely on the band name. When I first listened to this album today the first song tricked me into thinking I had dismissed a great band. Then the songs after it started playing. Yikes! Not my thing. Not an album that needs to be heard before I died. In fact, that was one day off my life that was wasted hearing this.

I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. The lyrics are hard-hitting, the vocals are raw, the instrumentation is on point. This is some good shit!

not my jam

my review from Everything Must Go still stands. it sounds pretty good, until i get reminded of coldplay. 3.5

I think the Manic Street Preachers are a great band. The power pop melodies here are fantastic. The progression each song shows is like if Green Day squeezed Jesus of Suburbia to three and a half minutes and made it thirteen times. The use of effects and dissonant noise really fits with the lyrics. Loved this album.

The sound of British 90’s angry youth. It stands up reasonably well, although not any of their major hits on this album. Most interesting as the last musical document of Richey before he fell off the earth somewhere.

I love it when I stumble upon an album that is a complete surprise. I greatly enjoyed this album. I think it's the best of what the 90s had to offer and I'll definitely listen to it again