Journal For Plague Lovers
Built around lyrics from presumed-dead founding member Richey Edwards and recorded by Steve Albini, the Manics' latest finds them revitalized.
Album number nine for the boys from Blackwood, and their regeneration continues apace.
Richey James Edwards disappeared in February 1995, just months after the release of the Manic Street Preachers' lacerating third album, The Holy Bible.
a reminder of just how important Richey Edwards was to the Manics and intelligent music writing...‘The Holy Bible’ has long been regarded as the finest moment of the Manic Street Preachers’ career.
“Riderless horses, Chomsky’s Camelot bruises on my hands from digging my nails out.” Welcome back, Richey.
<p>This defies the odds: not just a dignified salute to an absent friend, but a cracking album in its own right</p>
Most artists spend their careers attempting to move away from their early work, refusing to look back or take inspiration from their past.
<p>It's taken the band 14 years to put music to what turned out to be Richey Edwards last words, and you can see why, writes <strong>Caroline Sullivan</strong></p>
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers review: Not quite the Holy Bible sequel we were sold, but great all the same.