![Lifeblood [Import]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0003V16WM.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg)
| 1. 1985 |
| 2. Love of Richard Nixon |
| 3. Empty Souls |
| 4. Song for Departure |
| 5. I Live to Fall Asleep |
| 6. To Repel Ghosts |
| 7. Emily |
| 8. Glasnost |
| 9. Always/Never |
| 10. Solitude Sometimes Is |
| 11. Fragments |
| 12. Cardiff Afterlife |
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Manic Street Preachers return with LifeBlood, another brave reinvention from a band that have made a career of it since losing original frontman Richie. More focused than Know Your Enemy, this is another solid addition to the Manics' canon. 12 tracks in total. Sony. 2004.
But now, Nicky hath declared, "Conquer yourself rather than the world." On this very boring album, he proceeds to say nothing about the state of the world, and instead reveals his innermost thoughts and dreams. And as it turns out, Nicky's innermost thoughts and dreams are not really all that special.
In "1985," Nicky declares that "God is dead, like Nietzsche said." The Manics quoted Nietzsche on their first album, too, but back then at least they put in enough effort to find a more obscure quote. Nicky then reminisces about his youth. What Nietzsche has to do with it is beyond me. Maybe Nicky is trying to encourage his young listeners to read more.
In "Solitude Sometimes Is," Nicky explains that sometimes he likes to be left alone. But he's not antisocial! He just gets tired of other people's company sometimes. One might point out that this is a minor issue that only matters to someone who is happily married and has at least two good friends, and thus wants for nothing in the way of human company. But to Nicky's sensitive soul, it's the kind of philosophical topic perfect for a mid-tempo song towards the end of an album.
Then there's "Emily." It's about Emmeline Pankhurst, who was an important figure in the women's suffrage movement. I remember this from history class. If you don't, then Nicky doesn't like you. Why, you're probably the kind of person who is obsessed with Princess Diana! Nicky doesn't like Diana, because he thinks that her image is "obviously empty." You see, unlike Pankhurst, Diana didn't really contribute to pressing social issues. Therefore, Nicky praises Pankhurst, in an album that completely ignores all pressing social issues. And even then he's just repeating himself, because he already did this in "Let Robeson Sing" on the last album. Back then he complained that nobody wrote protest songs anymore. So naturally, instead of writing them, he prefers to gaze vacuously at the distant past.
Only once on the whole album does Nicky say something sort of topical. This occurs in "The Love Of Richard Nixon," where he attempts to rehabilitate the disgraced president by pointing out his trip to China and his "war on cancer." To which I might add that Nixon supported environmental conservation and ended the war in Vietnam. But that was only after he escalated that war and covertly invaded Cambodia. Nicky, ever the defender of the common man, ignores this. The song is permeated with the self-pity that characterized Nixon. In this one regard, it's actually quite accurate.
In "Glasnost," Nicky encourages his listeners to open themselves up to love. If they do this, he says, they can find their own "glasnost." And afterwards, I guess, their lives can collapse and become governed by gangster capitalism. This is a very tasteless metaphor. Let me guess, Nicky votes Labour, watches BBC News, and likes to eat ice cream. Actually, maybe he votes Conservative now. Is there even a difference anymore? But either way, I'm sure he likes to eat ice cream. Maybe that can be the subject of the next Manic Street Preachers single.
"Cardiff Afterlife" is a wistful farewell to Richey James, the band's former lyricist and rhythm guitarist who disappeared without a trace over ten years ago. The thing is, Nicky already wrote a wistful farewell to Richey James. That was "Nobody Loved You," from the band's 1998 album. Why is Nicky returning to this topic eight years since? Maybe it's the only topic which still inspires him to any genuine emotion. Or maybe that crisis was the most interesting time of his life, and he wants to relive it.
Musically, the band has hopped onto the eighties-retro bandwagon, which allows Bradfield and Moore to use synthesizers, acoustic guitars, echo and other accoutrements. Some of the beats have a bit of an electronic tinge, and Moore's strong drumming adds energy to the right parts. But as the band's technical skill grows - James Dean Bradfield doesn't strain his voice anymore, and it sounds smoother and more confident than ever - the total fatuousness of Nicky's musings becomes obvious.
What does Nicky even do nowadays? In the last interview of his that I read, he made fun of the White Stripes. Now he can add them to his growing list of easy targets. Maybe next time he can make fun of musicians who coast on their decade-old successes and can't think of anything interesting to say.
"1985" gets things going in grand style. Being a child of the 80's, references to George Orwell, Nietzsche (yes, he was very much someone worth reading back in my high school and college days), Morrissey and Johnny Marr brought back some memories. The song is one of those powerful openers - I recall cranking the song with the windows down zooming down Queen Anne hill in Seattle the first time I heard it. First single "The Love of Richard Nixon" is a different sound for the Manics, but it works. It's bouncy and lyrically interesting, trying to shed a positive light on one of America's more infamous presidents. Second single "Empty Souls" (along with "To Repel Ghosts") are about the closest things this album has to a burner - nice guitar work by James on both tracks.
The jewels of this CD, in my opinion, are three of the non-single tracks, "A Song for Departure", "Solitude Sometimes Is" and the closer, "Cardiff Afterlife". "A Song for Departure" has a great bass groove by Nicky and lyrically takes us to a place most of us have been at one time or another - the end of a relationship. "Solitude Sometimes Is" is my personal favorite - one of those songs that starts out quietly and builds up to a big ending. Once again, it hits home lyrically - we've all been at a point in our lives where we feel alone be it intentionally or through the events of our lives. I feel this song captures that essence perfectly. The closer, "Cardiff Afterlife", is a thing of beauty with some nice harmonica work.
"Glastnost" has some nice guitar work and is lyrically simple yet profound ("Embrace with us - make your own glastnost"). "Always/Never", "I Live to Fall Asleep" and "Fragments" also add to the overall mood of the CD. The only track that I'm not a huge fan of is "Emily". It's certainly not awful, but it's just kind of there and in my mind also the weakest song lyrically. I'd also agree with some of the other reviews that Sean's drumming on the whole seems to have been pushed to the background. I guess that's justified though when you take a look at the overall "mood" presented here...while it's not my personal prefernce, it makes total sense.
While the CD doesn't reach individual highs such as "Motorcycle Emptiness", "This Is Yesterday" or "A Design for Life" from the past, I think it's right up there, when taken as a whole, with "The Holy Bible" as MSP's most consistently listenable work. Fans of the band already have it - and if you're new to the Manics, this certainly would not be a bad place to start.
In contrast, their new album Lifeblood, is the sound of a band fighting to remain relevant (and doing so successfully), and as a consequence it's a record that crackles with energy, spirit and a renewed sense of purpose.
The singles 'The Love of Richard Nixon', and 'Empty Souls' make for an excellent one-two punch and album tracks like 'A Song For Departure' and 'To Repel Ghosts' are classic Manics tunes. In fact, in it's entirety, this is an album that succeeds in putting the Manic Street Preachers back into the frame as one of the finest British bands of their generation. Form is temporary, class is permanent, as they say.
to achieve within it's career. Everything from the songwriting
to it's intricate production represent a band at it's maturity.
Solid, heartfelt and beautifully crafted music.
The opening track "1985" gives the listener a taste of what's
to come. I'm not certain what the thinking was in choosing
"the Love of Richard Nixon" as it seems to be my least favorite
from an otherwise perfect album. "Empty Souls" however, ranks
as one of the Manic's gems. It grabs you and keeps you in!
The rest of the album is a nice mix of musical tapestry.
Most would say the middle of the album is their favorite, but
it's truely hard to pick an area as all tracks are exceptional.
My personal favorites include "Empty Souls" along with
"To Repel Ghosts", "Emily" and "Cardiff Afterlife". This album is a far introspective exercise then with previous albums.
While the bands lyrical content in some of the earlier work tends
toward more political and social issues, it seems the lyrical team of Nicky Wire/James Bradfield are beginning to embrace love, abandonment, self-doubt, and personal redemption in their lyrical themes.
Since I was not a big Manics fan previous to listening to this
album, I can say that it has wet my appetite for some of their
previous material. I've since purchased "The Holy Bible-Reissue".
"This Is My truth Tell Me Yours" and "Everything Must Go".
Some of the earlier material might not be for all, but it will provide one with a persepective on the beginnings of what I think is a band worth far more recognition then it recieves!
FIVE STARS AND THEN SOME!
Additional Recommedations; It is worth mentioning that the additional tracks on the singles "Love of RN" and "Empty Souls" include (total) six additional bonus tracks that really fit well with the album. "Litany", "All Alone Here", "No Jubilees",
"Askew Road", "Everyone Knows" and "Everything Is Everthing Was".
If you love this album, then ORDER THESE SINGLES! :)
7 studio albums, one missing band member, and 14 years of wonderful disasters later, we have "Lifeblood".
This is by far the Manics poppiest venture, and as the lyrics go their least political. 'Lifeblood' did take a while to sink in. I'm probably the one guy who liked 2001's 'Know Your Enemy", and have never faulted any band for doing that which they desire, and where KYE was about keeping it real and raw (some songs recorded in 4 takes), 'Lifeblood' is the polar opposite. Richly textured keyboards and guitars dominate from the opener '1985' to the finale 'Cardiff Afterlife', with nods to u2 (Empty Souls), New Order (Love of Richard Nixon}, even Abba (Song For Depature). This album is obsessed with the 80's, 'A Song For Departure' with its "Beat It" style drums, the U2-ish piano of 'Empty Souls' to the dance floor boogie of "Richard Nixon", all this definately makes for great listening. The lyrics are still relatively political, with songs about Emily Pankhurst and Dicky Nixon, as well as references to 911 (empty Souls). 'Cardiff Afterlife',however, gets personal dealing with missing member Richard Edwards. It's hard to say what songs would make great singles as they are all excellent, and no song really stands above the rest.
Living in Canada, I must constantly turn to Europe for my music. Bombarded day in and day out with crappy american mall core, depressing 3 chord (at best!) power punk, and bling bling top 40 drivell, i find the bands overseas just have more to offer. 'Lifeblood' flies in the face of this sterile american musical halocost of the last 10 years. Lifeblood has what american popular music lacks, passion, beauty, and a sense of purpose. Thumbs up to James, Nicky and Sean for my album of the year. cheers!!
Stylisticly diverse enough to satisfy fans of rock, folk, gospel, and many other genres, Summer delivers themes of heartache, fear, unconditional love, and forgiveness with her piano-driven style and unique voice that will draw all listeners to hear more than just instruments and lyrics and melodies. The themes I hear when listening to Lifeblood stay with me long after the songs end.
The Primatives' The Lovers of Kali Yuga is of a similar stature and unique worth. Music is a major part of humanity, and the Primatives are a superb reflection of theirselves just like The Stones were when they played out their songs with all of their spare energy. But enough of my love affair with the bands and artists of old, let's get to the hear and now.
The Lovers of Kali Yuga is a masterpiece that I can't even articulate accurately into a massive block of words. First of all, I'll address the band's overall personal sound. This particular work from the Primatives is more produced and involves more insturments than their live performances. This fact is used to great effect, further solidifying the already excellent songs, and turning the Lovers of Kali Yuga from just an album with excellent songs, into an album with excellent songs that also serves as a complete experience with a flow and a pulse. But The Primatives as a basic band is based on the vocalist (Jesse Hanson) with an intensely emotional and tremendously good-sounding singing voice, who also plays guitar substantially well. The band also contains the percussion/flutist (Lila) and bass (Jack) who both participate in the backing harmony vocals that are totally entrancing. The Primatives come together to create one of the most satisifying band sounds, especailly of such a nature, I know of. On this CD their songs aren't as musically varied and diverse as many other of the greatest artists I've heard, but this fact actually makes for a good effect in that their band sound is fullfilling, complete, and solid enough that typical variament is not required.
To get to the songs themselves, The Primatives' songs are superbly expressive, personal, and intellectual, while still entirely retaining a stone-cold groove and entertaining playing/meldoy (good for grooving or dancing even) so that you don't even need to listen to or understand any of the lyrics. In fact, the first time I listened to the Primatives I didn't think there was anything to their lyrics because I didn't listen to them, I was just caught in their hypnotic, vigorously rythmic music of undeniably good musical content (regarding song structure). It was only after that I listened to the lyrics, and realized how deeply meaningful they are, and this continues to happen every time I listen to more Primatives lyrics. There are few bands (maybe even none!) with lyrics that I relate to so truly. The songs on The Lovers Of Kali Yuga can (lyrically) at times be very relevent to today's world, at other times provide a well articulated and intellectually interesting window into the songwriter's soul, and at other time be of a fantasy-nature, taking you away into a seperate mentality and mind. Musically their are many hard-driven acoustic guitar lines with excellent solos to accompany the soullful and power-driven singing and performing from all of the musicians. There is also itense and well-fitting electric guitar soloage, sometimes slowly mourning and crying, other times dancing with unneasy health, to accompany the music.
The CD has a number of stand-out tracks. From the opening Dragon's Song that is an epic (8 minutes +) trip into the mind and soul of a dying dragon that had been gaurding the earth, hear its anguished desires and thoughst as it makes the final flight through Earth's sky. It contains a memorable chord pattern and a sorrowful electric guitar accompaniement throughout the song, with amazing vocals & harmony. The second highlight would be Here Come The Primitives, as it uses an extremely powerful chord shuffle and acoustical solos and the heartfelt vocals to display images of life in the current world with a bit of spirtuality thrown in here and there. The song all together is breathtakingly powerful, it almost makes me break down.
The third highlight would have to be Never Again, this song is all electric guitar but it's acoustic-ish style (meaning that it's not Jimi Hendrix or Robin Trower). This song is even more breathtaking than the other great songs on the album, it is musically arranged with the guitar/vocal stylings and the drum placement to create an emotional affect that is just uncomprehendable, it's brilliant. To accompany that it has very personally-meaningful lyrics that are also easy to relate to and untouchably perfect for the song. And even on top of that it has a long, groovey style that reminds me of the long groovey style that most of the songs on Neil Young's Everybody Knows This is Nowhere have. It's a must-hear song as far as I'm concerned, because it is an accomplishment of vision and music.
Other songs to mention would be Can't Stop and Question My Love. Question My Love is another fast-paced, feeling-induced romp with strong vocals and it has electric guitar soloing accompaniment. Its lyrical content revolve around the singer's inability to truly love, and lack of faith in his emotions because of his understanding. It's one song I relate to most accurately, but the reason I like it above all else is it's overall feel and rythmic dance groove, with it's energy-using, flustered vocals and powerful production.
Can't Stop is a song that focuses on the vocal harmony of the band with a cosmic dance rythm-groove that almost rivals Question My Love in it's fast-paced style. Lyrically it's a song written from the perspective (most likely an honest pespective from the writer) of being an artist and having to face all the things that people say and do, people hating your music and all that stuff. It's pretty meaningful, especailly when given in a perspective beyond just artistry and about life in general. Another one I relate too and it seems very easy to relate to for other people (similar to songs from Robin Trower like Too Rolling Stoned, it's just something about the world that most people come in counter with, in Too Roling Stoned's case having to work your butt off), the lyrics are provacitive and interesting. But like with most of their songs, I like them so much because they're good on multiple levels, lyrically and musically, meaningfully and physically.
Truly a wonderful CD, that was put together just perfectly to convey mood and reveal its musical worth (for intellectuality or just for fun). I hope the CD will get more of the credit it deserves eventually, or rather I just hope more people can enjoy it.
Also look out for their 2nd CD when it comes out, as I have heard many of the songs on it and it will be most likely a very worthy follow-up.
Note: If you want to get this CD, since Amazon.com doesn't have it, go to www.CDbaby.com/theprimatives (FYI, Amazon.com, if this tag is against the rules, feel free to remove it from my reveiw. I just wanted to note how people could get the CD because it doesn't appear that Amazon will be getting any more in, and plus they can hear samples of the music at that site, but take any of my review off if you don't want it there.)
The Manic Street Preachers return with LifeBlood, another brave reinvention from a band that have made a career of it since losing original frontman Richie. More focused than Know Your Enemy, this is another solid addition to the Manics' canon. 12 tracks in total. Sony. 2004.
Lifeblood,Manic Street Preachers,Sony,Rock,Rock/Pop
Lifeblood [Import]
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Lifeblood
Manic Street Preachers Manufacturer: Sony Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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ASIN: B0003V16WM Release Date: 2004-11-15 |
Tracks:
- 1985
- Love of Richard Nixon
- Empty Souls
- Song for Departure
- I Live to Fall Asleep
- To Repel Ghosts
- Emily
- Glasnost
- Always/Never
- Solitude Sometimes Is
- Fragments
- Cardiff Afterlife
Album Description
The Manic Street Preachers return with LifeBlood, another brave reinvention from a band that have made a career of it since losing original frontman Richie. More focused than Know Your Enemy, this is another solid addition to the Manics' canon. 12 tracks in total. Sony. 2004.Customer Reviews:
Fall to the floor, my baby / I no longer believe.......2006-08-03
But now, Nicky hath declared, "Conquer yourself rather than the world." On this very boring album, he proceeds to say nothing about the state of the world, and instead reveals his innermost thoughts and dreams. And as it turns out, Nicky's innermost thoughts and dreams are not really all that special.
In "1985," Nicky declares that "God is dead, like Nietzsche said." The Manics quoted Nietzsche on their first album, too, but back then at least they put in enough effort to find a more obscure quote. Nicky then reminisces about his youth. What Nietzsche has to do with it is beyond me. Maybe Nicky is trying to encourage his young listeners to read more.
In "Solitude Sometimes Is," Nicky explains that sometimes he likes to be left alone. But he's not antisocial! He just gets tired of other people's company sometimes. One might point out that this is a minor issue that only matters to someone who is happily married and has at least two good friends, and thus wants for nothing in the way of human company. But to Nicky's sensitive soul, it's the kind of philosophical topic perfect for a mid-tempo song towards the end of an album.
Then there's "Emily." It's about Emmeline Pankhurst, who was an important figure in the women's suffrage movement. I remember this from history class. If you don't, then Nicky doesn't like you. Why, you're probably the kind of person who is obsessed with Princess Diana! Nicky doesn't like Diana, because he thinks that her image is "obviously empty." You see, unlike Pankhurst, Diana didn't really contribute to pressing social issues. Therefore, Nicky praises Pankhurst, in an album that completely ignores all pressing social issues. And even then he's just repeating himself, because he already did this in "Let Robeson Sing" on the last album. Back then he complained that nobody wrote protest songs anymore. So naturally, instead of writing them, he prefers to gaze vacuously at the distant past.
Only once on the whole album does Nicky say something sort of topical. This occurs in "The Love Of Richard Nixon," where he attempts to rehabilitate the disgraced president by pointing out his trip to China and his "war on cancer." To which I might add that Nixon supported environmental conservation and ended the war in Vietnam. But that was only after he escalated that war and covertly invaded Cambodia. Nicky, ever the defender of the common man, ignores this. The song is permeated with the self-pity that characterized Nixon. In this one regard, it's actually quite accurate.
In "Glasnost," Nicky encourages his listeners to open themselves up to love. If they do this, he says, they can find their own "glasnost." And afterwards, I guess, their lives can collapse and become governed by gangster capitalism. This is a very tasteless metaphor. Let me guess, Nicky votes Labour, watches BBC News, and likes to eat ice cream. Actually, maybe he votes Conservative now. Is there even a difference anymore? But either way, I'm sure he likes to eat ice cream. Maybe that can be the subject of the next Manic Street Preachers single.
"Cardiff Afterlife" is a wistful farewell to Richey James, the band's former lyricist and rhythm guitarist who disappeared without a trace over ten years ago. The thing is, Nicky already wrote a wistful farewell to Richey James. That was "Nobody Loved You," from the band's 1998 album. Why is Nicky returning to this topic eight years since? Maybe it's the only topic which still inspires him to any genuine emotion. Or maybe that crisis was the most interesting time of his life, and he wants to relive it.
Musically, the band has hopped onto the eighties-retro bandwagon, which allows Bradfield and Moore to use synthesizers, acoustic guitars, echo and other accoutrements. Some of the beats have a bit of an electronic tinge, and Moore's strong drumming adds energy to the right parts. But as the band's technical skill grows - James Dean Bradfield doesn't strain his voice anymore, and it sounds smoother and more confident than ever - the total fatuousness of Nicky's musings becomes obvious.
What does Nicky even do nowadays? In the last interview of his that I read, he made fun of the White Stripes. Now he can add them to his growing list of easy targets. Maybe next time he can make fun of musicians who coast on their decade-old successes and can't think of anything interesting to say.
Great return by the Manics.......2006-01-20
"1985" gets things going in grand style. Being a child of the 80's, references to George Orwell, Nietzsche (yes, he was very much someone worth reading back in my high school and college days), Morrissey and Johnny Marr brought back some memories. The song is one of those powerful openers - I recall cranking the song with the windows down zooming down Queen Anne hill in Seattle the first time I heard it. First single "The Love of Richard Nixon" is a different sound for the Manics, but it works. It's bouncy and lyrically interesting, trying to shed a positive light on one of America's more infamous presidents. Second single "Empty Souls" (along with "To Repel Ghosts") are about the closest things this album has to a burner - nice guitar work by James on both tracks.
The jewels of this CD, in my opinion, are three of the non-single tracks, "A Song for Departure", "Solitude Sometimes Is" and the closer, "Cardiff Afterlife". "A Song for Departure" has a great bass groove by Nicky and lyrically takes us to a place most of us have been at one time or another - the end of a relationship. "Solitude Sometimes Is" is my personal favorite - one of those songs that starts out quietly and builds up to a big ending. Once again, it hits home lyrically - we've all been at a point in our lives where we feel alone be it intentionally or through the events of our lives. I feel this song captures that essence perfectly. The closer, "Cardiff Afterlife", is a thing of beauty with some nice harmonica work.
"Glastnost" has some nice guitar work and is lyrically simple yet profound ("Embrace with us - make your own glastnost"). "Always/Never", "I Live to Fall Asleep" and "Fragments" also add to the overall mood of the CD. The only track that I'm not a huge fan of is "Emily". It's certainly not awful, but it's just kind of there and in my mind also the weakest song lyrically. I'd also agree with some of the other reviews that Sean's drumming on the whole seems to have been pushed to the background. I guess that's justified though when you take a look at the overall "mood" presented here...while it's not my personal prefernce, it makes total sense.
While the CD doesn't reach individual highs such as "Motorcycle Emptiness", "This Is Yesterday" or "A Design for Life" from the past, I think it's right up there, when taken as a whole, with "The Holy Bible" as MSP's most consistently listenable work. Fans of the band already have it - and if you're new to the Manics, this certainly would not be a bad place to start.
You Glorious Bastards.......2006-01-09
A surprisingly good return to form........2005-10-28
In contrast, their new album Lifeblood, is the sound of a band fighting to remain relevant (and doing so successfully), and as a consequence it's a record that crackles with energy, spirit and a renewed sense of purpose.
The singles 'The Love of Richard Nixon', and 'Empty Souls' make for an excellent one-two punch and album tracks like 'A Song For Departure' and 'To Repel Ghosts' are classic Manics tunes. In fact, in it's entirety, this is an album that succeeds in putting the Manic Street Preachers back into the frame as one of the finest British bands of their generation. Form is temporary, class is permanent, as they say.
An amazing album! Best Manics album yet!.......2005-06-08
to achieve within it's career. Everything from the songwriting
to it's intricate production represent a band at it's maturity.
Solid, heartfelt and beautifully crafted music.
The opening track "1985" gives the listener a taste of what's
to come. I'm not certain what the thinking was in choosing
"the Love of Richard Nixon" as it seems to be my least favorite
from an otherwise perfect album. "Empty Souls" however, ranks
as one of the Manic's gems. It grabs you and keeps you in!
The rest of the album is a nice mix of musical tapestry.
Most would say the middle of the album is their favorite, but
it's truely hard to pick an area as all tracks are exceptional.
My personal favorites include "Empty Souls" along with
"To Repel Ghosts", "Emily" and "Cardiff Afterlife". This album is a far introspective exercise then with previous albums.
While the bands lyrical content in some of the earlier work tends
toward more political and social issues, it seems the lyrical team of Nicky Wire/James Bradfield are beginning to embrace love, abandonment, self-doubt, and personal redemption in their lyrical themes.
Since I was not a big Manics fan previous to listening to this
album, I can say that it has wet my appetite for some of their
previous material. I've since purchased "The Holy Bible-Reissue".
"This Is My truth Tell Me Yours" and "Everything Must Go".
Some of the earlier material might not be for all, but it will provide one with a persepective on the beginnings of what I think is a band worth far more recognition then it recieves!
FIVE STARS AND THEN SOME!
Additional Recommedations; It is worth mentioning that the additional tracks on the singles "Love of RN" and "Empty Souls" include (total) six additional bonus tracks that really fit well with the album. "Litany", "All Alone Here", "No Jubilees",
"Askew Road", "Everyone Knows" and "Everything Is Everthing Was".
If you love this album, then ORDER THESE SINGLES! :)
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Lifeblood
Manic Street Preachers Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
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Britpop
| British Alternative
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
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General
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
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Pop Rock
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ASIN: B00069JA3I Release Date: 2004-11-15 |
Tracks:
- 1985
- The Love Of Richard Nixon
- Empty Souls
- A Song For Departure
- I Live To Fall Asleep
- To Repel Ghosts
- Emily
- Glasnost
- Always/Never
- Solitude Sometimes Is
- Fragments
- Cardiff Afterlife
Album Description
Details TBA. Sony. 2004.Customer Reviews:
Fantastic.......2005-03-15
"Lifeblood" is the most biographical of all their records and as such might leave the more politically radical Manics fans a bit disappointed. This is by no means "The Holy Bible" or "Know Your Enemy" (I still don't understand why KYE is considered a bad album).
The music on "Lifeblood" is absolutely beautiful. Please grab a copy as soon as you can. You will not be sorry.
Brilliant........2004-12-19
if it weren't for Nirvana........sigh.......2004-12-09
7 studio albums, one missing band member, and 14 years of wonderful disasters later, we have "Lifeblood".
This is by far the Manics poppiest venture, and as the lyrics go their least political. 'Lifeblood' did take a while to sink in. I'm probably the one guy who liked 2001's 'Know Your Enemy", and have never faulted any band for doing that which they desire, and where KYE was about keeping it real and raw (some songs recorded in 4 takes), 'Lifeblood' is the polar opposite. Richly textured keyboards and guitars dominate from the opener '1985' to the finale 'Cardiff Afterlife', with nods to u2 (Empty Souls), New Order (Love of Richard Nixon}, even Abba (Song For Depature). This album is obsessed with the 80's, 'A Song For Departure' with its "Beat It" style drums, the U2-ish piano of 'Empty Souls' to the dance floor boogie of "Richard Nixon", all this definately makes for great listening. The lyrics are still relatively political, with songs about Emily Pankhurst and Dicky Nixon, as well as references to 911 (empty Souls). 'Cardiff Afterlife',however, gets personal dealing with missing member Richard Edwards. It's hard to say what songs would make great singles as they are all excellent, and no song really stands above the rest.
Living in Canada, I must constantly turn to Europe for my music. Bombarded day in and day out with crappy american mall core, depressing 3 chord (at best!) power punk, and bling bling top 40 drivell, i find the bands overseas just have more to offer. 'Lifeblood' flies in the face of this sterile american musical halocost of the last 10 years. Lifeblood has what american popular music lacks, passion, beauty, and a sense of purpose. Thumbs up to James, Nicky and Sean for my album of the year. cheers!!
Pretty Good.......2004-11-11
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Lifeblood
Manufacturer: Andrea Summer ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000CAJR52 Release Date: 2005-03-15 |
Customer Reviews:
Very Impressive Independent Project.......2007-01-07
Stylisticly diverse enough to satisfy fans of rock, folk, gospel, and many other genres, Summer delivers themes of heartache, fear, unconditional love, and forgiveness with her piano-driven style and unique voice that will draw all listeners to hear more than just instruments and lyrics and melodies. The themes I hear when listening to Lifeblood stay with me long after the songs end.
Bad production values mar album..........2005-12-30
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Lifeblood
Manufacturer: Ryko Distribution ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000TNFWWE Release Date: 2007-08-28 |
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The Lovers of Kali Yuga
The Primatives Manufacturer: The Primatives ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Folk Rock
| Folk
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B00005RJBL Release Date: 2001-10-11 |
Tracks:
- The Dragon's Song
- Here Come the Primitives
- I'm in Love
- Question My Love
- Can't Stop
- Never Again
- Lovers
Album Description
[From a world seen through the eyes of an ancient and dying guardian in The Dragon's Song to the rocking bluegrass style of Can't Stop with its stark truthfull message about the life of an artist, The Lovers of Kali Yuga is a tale of life in the "age of materialism". The last track, Lovers is a soft, but not squishy, song of a truer love at last after a long history of failed love. "Because you're tough; because you've had enough"]The Lovers of Kali Yuga began as a recording session in a remote cabin in the wild west Badlands of North Dakota. Most of the original tracks were done there. Later in PA we got together with some other musicians and recorded all the rest of the virtual tracks with the idea of going out as a rock band. However we have since abandoned that idea for a simpler style as a duo. The CD is not an exact representation of our current style but is representative of my music. It has variety, musically, and the lyrics create images that people seem to remember. The liner notes have an explanation of Kali Yuga in relation to the title. jesse s. hanson
Customer Reviews:
Atmospheric, deep, emotional, energetic, groovey, superior........2004-09-12
The Primatives' The Lovers of Kali Yuga is of a similar stature and unique worth. Music is a major part of humanity, and the Primatives are a superb reflection of theirselves just like The Stones were when they played out their songs with all of their spare energy. But enough of my love affair with the bands and artists of old, let's get to the hear and now.
The Lovers of Kali Yuga is a masterpiece that I can't even articulate accurately into a massive block of words. First of all, I'll address the band's overall personal sound. This particular work from the Primatives is more produced and involves more insturments than their live performances. This fact is used to great effect, further solidifying the already excellent songs, and turning the Lovers of Kali Yuga from just an album with excellent songs, into an album with excellent songs that also serves as a complete experience with a flow and a pulse. But The Primatives as a basic band is based on the vocalist (Jesse Hanson) with an intensely emotional and tremendously good-sounding singing voice, who also plays guitar substantially well. The band also contains the percussion/flutist (Lila) and bass (Jack) who both participate in the backing harmony vocals that are totally entrancing. The Primatives come together to create one of the most satisifying band sounds, especailly of such a nature, I know of. On this CD their songs aren't as musically varied and diverse as many other of the greatest artists I've heard, but this fact actually makes for a good effect in that their band sound is fullfilling, complete, and solid enough that typical variament is not required.
To get to the songs themselves, The Primatives' songs are superbly expressive, personal, and intellectual, while still entirely retaining a stone-cold groove and entertaining playing/meldoy (good for grooving or dancing even) so that you don't even need to listen to or understand any of the lyrics. In fact, the first time I listened to the Primatives I didn't think there was anything to their lyrics because I didn't listen to them, I was just caught in their hypnotic, vigorously rythmic music of undeniably good musical content (regarding song structure). It was only after that I listened to the lyrics, and realized how deeply meaningful they are, and this continues to happen every time I listen to more Primatives lyrics. There are few bands (maybe even none!) with lyrics that I relate to so truly. The songs on The Lovers Of Kali Yuga can (lyrically) at times be very relevent to today's world, at other times provide a well articulated and intellectually interesting window into the songwriter's soul, and at other time be of a fantasy-nature, taking you away into a seperate mentality and mind. Musically their are many hard-driven acoustic guitar lines with excellent solos to accompany the soullful and power-driven singing and performing from all of the musicians. There is also itense and well-fitting electric guitar soloage, sometimes slowly mourning and crying, other times dancing with unneasy health, to accompany the music.
The CD has a number of stand-out tracks. From the opening Dragon's Song that is an epic (8 minutes +) trip into the mind and soul of a dying dragon that had been gaurding the earth, hear its anguished desires and thoughst as it makes the final flight through Earth's sky. It contains a memorable chord pattern and a sorrowful electric guitar accompaniement throughout the song, with amazing vocals & harmony. The second highlight would be Here Come The Primitives, as it uses an extremely powerful chord shuffle and acoustical solos and the heartfelt vocals to display images of life in the current world with a bit of spirtuality thrown in here and there. The song all together is breathtakingly powerful, it almost makes me break down.
The third highlight would have to be Never Again, this song is all electric guitar but it's acoustic-ish style (meaning that it's not Jimi Hendrix or Robin Trower). This song is even more breathtaking than the other great songs on the album, it is musically arranged with the guitar/vocal stylings and the drum placement to create an emotional affect that is just uncomprehendable, it's brilliant. To accompany that it has very personally-meaningful lyrics that are also easy to relate to and untouchably perfect for the song. And even on top of that it has a long, groovey style that reminds me of the long groovey style that most of the songs on Neil Young's Everybody Knows This is Nowhere have. It's a must-hear song as far as I'm concerned, because it is an accomplishment of vision and music.
Other songs to mention would be Can't Stop and Question My Love. Question My Love is another fast-paced, feeling-induced romp with strong vocals and it has electric guitar soloing accompaniment. Its lyrical content revolve around the singer's inability to truly love, and lack of faith in his emotions because of his understanding. It's one song I relate to most accurately, but the reason I like it above all else is it's overall feel and rythmic dance groove, with it's energy-using, flustered vocals and powerful production.
Can't Stop is a song that focuses on the vocal harmony of the band with a cosmic dance rythm-groove that almost rivals Question My Love in it's fast-paced style. Lyrically it's a song written from the perspective (most likely an honest pespective from the writer) of being an artist and having to face all the things that people say and do, people hating your music and all that stuff. It's pretty meaningful, especailly when given in a perspective beyond just artistry and about life in general. Another one I relate too and it seems very easy to relate to for other people (similar to songs from Robin Trower like Too Rolling Stoned, it's just something about the world that most people come in counter with, in Too Roling Stoned's case having to work your butt off), the lyrics are provacitive and interesting. But like with most of their songs, I like them so much because they're good on multiple levels, lyrically and musically, meaningfully and physically.
Truly a wonderful CD, that was put together just perfectly to convey mood and reveal its musical worth (for intellectuality or just for fun). I hope the CD will get more of the credit it deserves eventually, or rather I just hope more people can enjoy it.
Also look out for their 2nd CD when it comes out, as I have heard many of the songs on it and it will be most likely a very worthy follow-up.
Note: If you want to get this CD, since Amazon.com doesn't have it, go to www.CDbaby.com/theprimatives (FYI, Amazon.com, if this tag is against the rules, feel free to remove it from my reveiw. I just wanted to note how people could get the CD because it doesn't appear that Amazon will be getting any more in, and plus they can hear samples of the music at that site, but take any of my review off if you don't want it there.)
Thunder.......2001-10-31
That underneath kind of rolling thunder has made it's way out of the Badlands of North Dakota in the form of Jesse Hanson and his fine band The Primitives.
Haunting, soulful, voice, swirling someplace between Neil Young and Bob Dylan and lyrical content laden with a yearning for no less than the simplicity of a world we'd feel safe wrapping ourselves up when each day begins to unfold.
Feel safe, wrap yourself up one morning in your favorite blanket on your favorite old chair, cup of coffee, your lover or your dog at your side, and spend some time with your own vision of that world or better yet your memory of it.
And, oh yeah, you won't be disappointed if you bring The Primitives along with you.
profound journey.......2001-10-30
Andy Fraenkel, Multi-Cultural Stories Network
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Lifeblood
Manic Street Preachers Manufacturer: Sony Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Britpop
| British Alternative
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0006B0YNG Release Date: 2004-11-15 |
Tracks:
- 1985
- Love of Richard Nixon
- Empty Souls
- Song for Departure
- I Live to Fall Asleep
- To Repel Ghosts
- Emily
- Glasnost
- Always/Never
- Solitude Sometimes Is
- Fragments
- Cardiff Afterlife
Album Details
Seventh Album from UK Rock Trio Manic Street Preachers.|
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Lifeblood
Manic Street Preachers Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Alternative Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B000765IOA Release Date: 2005-01-25 |
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Lifeblood
Manic Street Preachers Manufacturer: Sony/Epic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Britpop
| British Alternative
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0002ZEYXW Release Date: 2004-10-26 |
Tracks:
- 1985
- Love of Richard Nixon
- Empty Souls
- Song for Departure
- I Live to Fall Asleep
- To Repel Ghosts
- Emily
- Glasnost
- Always/Never
- Solitude Sometimes Is
- Fragments
- Cardiff Afterlife
Album Description
Japanese edition features two bonus tracks, 'The Soulmates' and 'Antarctic'. The Manic Street Preachers return with LifeBlood, another brave reinvention from a band that have made a career of it since losing original frontman Richie. More focused than Know Your Enemy, this is another solid addition to the Manics' canon. 14 tracks in total. Sony. 2004.
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Lifeblood
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000HWY4B2 Release Date: 2006-10-31 |
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Lifeblood
Strech Manufacturer: Repertoire/Hepcat ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002B74IS Release Date: 2002-11-08 |
Rap Music:
- Light [Extra tracks] [Limited Edition] [Import]
- Lizzie West [EP]
- Mindrevolutions
- Nice [Explicit Cover] [Explicit Lyrics]
- Ogden's Nut Gone Flake [Deluxe Edition] [Import]
- One Year [Import]
- Overdub [Enhanced]
- Picture [Limited Edition] [Special Edition] [Import]
- Plastic Silver 9 Volt Heart
- Pollyanna
Recommended Music:
Classical Library, Vol. 2 [Box set]
Music: Mad Capsule Markets [Import]
Death Row's Greatest Hits [Import]
Gustav Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde (The Song of the Earth)