Journal For Plague Lovers Review

Released: May 18, 2009
Genre: Rockfield Studios
Label: Alternative Rock
Number Of Tracks: 13
The album is an eccentric rock album and whilst being one of Manic's albums with a slightly harder edge, they still manage to contrast this with some interesting sounds.

Sound:	9
Lyrics:	9.5
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9.2
Users rating:	9.1
Comments:	11

overall: 10

Featured review by: Bigshoutout, on may 27, 2009

Sound: The media and fans may wish this album to be The Holy Bible 2, what it is instead is a record wrote in the same vein as Everything Must Go. For example title track Journal for Plague Lovers contains their biggest hook since Australia with a frenzied anthemic guitars. The album does begins with a messy crunchy rocker that might have sounded Holy Bible eske if it wasn't for the fact the compression is minimal and James doesn't raise to a venomous shout. It then continues with the monsterous sound of the Manics of new and never really looks back at the dark THB days. Jacky Collins, All is Vanity, JFPL, She bathed herself and VSEC could all comfortably hold their own with the best Manic rockers. Marlon J.D is propably the least understated thing here but after a few listens it becomes just as enormous as anything else.

While the majority of the record is anthemic rock songs in the style of Everything Must Go on the other side of JFPL's is an achingly beautiful acoustic side, where the guitars are textured and rich, Facing Page Top Left and A Joke Sport Severed are true acoustic delights.

To sum up the production is fantastic, but it isn't dark and brooding and compressed to rustyness, it's light and summery. Perfect for the anthemic hooks of the Manics of recent and very like Everything Must Go. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Despite the lighter sound of the music the lyrics are understandingly very dark. Opener 'Peeled Apples' chorus throws out self harming 'bruises on my hands from digging my nails out' while 'Virginia State Epileptic Colony', explores the lack of humanity in mental institutions. The title track is the gem of the bunch though a classic Manics throw with a chorus about God and death.

Still theres another side to JFPL we didn't see in the Holy Bible, Richey's humour, 'if a married man fuckes a catholic and his wife dies without knowing, does that make his unfaithful' he muses, in a lyric centred around a game show. The bridge 'oh mummy whats a sex pistol' is a fantastic slap in the face of Daily Mail Britain.

James voice is on fine form too, still totally unintelligable to the lister without a lyric sheet. Even so hes in Australia mode for most of this album, short lines with enthisis, none of that spitting out big words quickly from THB.

Great lyrics and singing, but this is the Manics. // 10

Impression: If theres a problem with JFPL's theres no fat on the record at all, no song really develops, none of them really hang around. Most of them are 2-3 minutes long and while theres a lot to them you'll be damned to see a 2 minute long guitar solo or even one that goes on long enough to notice. This can hurt the songs when they just end without any big send off but it also keeps the energy up and the record short enough to listen to in a sitting and be taken as an album rather than a collection of songs.

This album does sound like it could have been made straight after THB. It's definatly a companion peace to EMG, a similar sound and outlook, which is better though? it's hard to tell, JFPL is propably their most consistant, catchy and listenable album ever but EMG has a handful of classic tracks and I can't see any of these songs becoming radio stickers especially with no singles being released.

The best approach, buy all the albums, and if you've already got them all definatly buy JFPL's its their best in 10 years. // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Craigo, on may 26, 2009

Sound: The album is an eccentric rock album and whilst being one of Manic's albums with a slightly harder edge, they still manage to contrast this with some interesting sounds. The rock edge of songs such as 'Peeled Apples' with the smooth soft rock edges from 'This Joke Sport Severed'. The variety here is still what you'd expect from this band with some interesting riffs and some interesting sounds, whilst still sounding like the rock band you'd like to here. Another notable thing is that this album should appease older listeners who have criticised Manics for being too commercial, whilst this should satisfy the average modern rock listener. There is nothing extraordinary about how original this album is, but you will definitely will not be hearing a repeat of something, nor will this be repeated. The mixing, whilst is superb in quality, I would argue it is not the best suited for the album. However, it is well produced and it still comes off as authentic. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: This is one of the most important parts of the album, and for a good reason. This is entirely made up from lyrics and poetry from their original vocalist Richey, who went missing in 1993 and was presumed to be dead last year. Those who are familiar with the album 'Holy Bible' can expect those sort of lyrics, but should not expect a repeat. The vagueness of the lyrics will put some people off, but the wit will draw some people in. The humour remains, the cynicism is still there. The band do implement these lyrics well; you feel as if the lyrics were written for the music rather than the music was written for the lyrics, so there is no problem there. Nevertheless, the lyrics are clever and definitely are a highlight of the album, regardless of its back story. // 9

Impression: This is a normal Manics album but is definitely one of their best; I would not think that Manics fans would be disappointed in this CD and I would possibly recommend this album as a good starting point. It does not hold a feel of which older fans would criticise as being 'commercial' and the album as a whole works well. There is much 'mainstream' about this album although it could very well appeal to. The lyrics are clever and arrange the album very well and there is a lot to enjoy from this album, which only increases after several more listens. Whilst this album is not for everyone, fans of the band will not be disappointed. // 8

Comments

[monkey_dancer]

Richey Edwards wasn't the vocalist for the band, and he disappeared in 1995.

[TJ1991]

Can't say I'm convinced by this review. Schoolboy error to say Richey was the vocalist.

Anyway, the Manics have been my favourite band for a long time, and I'm disappointed by this album. Other than Me And Stephen Hawking, Peeled Apples and Jackie Collins I can take or leave it, the album on the whole really bores me.

[linked_reality]

I agree with TJ1991... This album kinda feels like it was done half-arsed. Lyrics are great though.

[seifer_alamasy]

I have to disagree with both of you, I think it's a near perfect album and they best one since EMG. You enjoyed SATT didn't you? That would explain things. :/

[Dymencion]

I can listen to anything by this band, they are so wildly talented. James can do anything with his voice and guitar, and Nicky's lyrics are always world class. The Holy Bible days with Richie were definitely their prime though.

[Craigo]

Whilst the 1993 disappearance was a genuine slip up, the vocalist error was my bad. Regardless, shouldn't take anything off my review. Everything there is honest.

I would say that is this one of their better albums - I do like what was done here.

[ctb]

Great album, I must say.
Thanks for contributing to the reviews.

[monkey_dancer]

Craigo wrote:

Whilst the 1993 disappearance was a genuine slip up, the vocalist error was my bad. Regardless, shouldn't take anything off my review. Everything there is honest.

S'all cool, everyone makes mistakes. And a review is one person's opinion, so...

Personally, I find the there's just something missing, and I feel that a lot of the songs are very incoherent.

[AngryGoldfish]

I think Richard Edwards was the bassist who disappeared in 1995 and was assumed dead last year some time. He wrote a lot of lyrics though, and James then transfered it into the music. I think that's right, anyway.
I'm really looking forward to this album.

[sav46e]

1 f the songs is exact same as from despair to where. only listened through it once but seems ok

angrygoldfish, richey played guitar and wrote not bass.

[dexi-cola]

[quote]AngryGoldfish wrote:

I think Richard Edwards was the bassist.quote]

nopes. He was rhythm guitarist.

Just saw them live last night at llandudno... they played 2 sets... they played the whole album... went off stage for a break then came back and played some of their old tunage. Was mint though!
Poor Nicky had a bad back, though, he was sat on a chair for their second set.
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