Tracks
1. Sleepflower
2. From Despair To Where
3. LA Tristesse Durera
4. Yourself
5. Life Becoming A Landslide
6. Drug Drug Druggy
7. Roses In The Hospital
8. Nostalgic Pushead
9. Symphony Of Tourette
10. Gold Against The Soul
Performer Notes
- Manic Street Preachers: James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitars); Richey James (guitar, background vocals); Nicky Wire (bass, background vocals); Sean Moore (drums, percussion, programming, background vocals).
- Additional personnel: Ian Kewley, Dave Eringa (piano, Hammond organ); Shovel (percusion).
- Recorded between January and March 1993.
- Composers: James Dean Bradfield; Nicky Wire ; Sean Moore; Richey James.
- Personnel: James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, background vocals); Ian Kewley, Dave Eringa, Ian Kewlet (piano); Nicky Wire (bass guitar, background vocals); Sean Moore (drums, percussion, programming, drum programming, sampler, background vocals); Richey James (background vocals).
- Audio Mixers: Dave Bascombe; Dave Eringa.
- Recording information: Outside Studios (01/1993-03/1993).
- Unknown Contributor Role: Shovel.
- Arranger: Nick Ingman.
- A band who can be as heavy as Metallica and as poppy as Simple Minds is no mean feat. The Manics fit the bill, with James Bradfield's stretched tonsils never having to resort to a scream to fill in for some words, such as "wooooahhhh" or "yeahhhhhhhh". Bradfield never wastes a second, because he has a lot to say, and that is what makes the Manics a bit different from the pack; their lyrics are bitingly good, even the ones shrouded in mystery; at least they are interesting. Particular attention can be paid to "Life Becomes A Landslide" and the observant title track.
Professional Reviews
Spin (10/93, p.104) - "...these Welsh combat rockers motor-mouth a fine manifesto, but haven't got a musical bone between them..."
Q (8/93, p.89) - 2 Stars - Average - "...vaguely expressed, bemused and bored dissatisfaction: the sound of a band digging in for a long-term career rather than knocking over a few of the statues..."
Alternative Press (11/93, p.76) - "...the singer is a Michael DesBarres wannabe, while the band--they haven't quite made up their mind..."
Melody Maker (1/1/94, p.77) - Ranked #25 in Melody Maker's list of the `Albums Of The Year' for 1993 - "...Stunning...."
Melody Maker (6/26/93, p.28) - "...They've stayed beautiful...."
Mojo (Publisher) (2/02, p.84) - "...References Vincent Van Gogh's suicide note and raises questions beyond rock'n'roll's normal surly palette..."
NME (Magazine) (8/12/00, p.29) - Ranked #26 in The NME "Top 30 Heartbreak Albums".
NME (Magazine) (12/25/93, p.67) - Ranked #24 in New Musical Express' list of `The Top 50 LPs Of 1993.'
NME (Magazine) (6/19/93, p.31) - 6 - Good - "...the drums and guitars rumble higher in the mix, and massive, harmonising riffs are everywhere..."