James Dean Bradfield is the lead guitarist and vocalist for what is almost certainly my favorite Welsh band: The Manic Street Preachers. He’s also the producer of the best song of the millennium: Johnny Boy’s You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve. So he’s got the pedigree.
With the Manics on a brief hiatus after some studio time on their new album, Bradfield released his debut solo album The Great Western yesterday in the UK (and in a couple days in the US). Unfortunately, I don’t live in the UK, so I haven’t been able to hear the whole thing, but what I have heard, I’ve enjoyed a lot.
If you’re familiar with the Manics, you know what to expect: some bruising songs, a bit of the socialist ethic, and a few tender moments. Still, there are differences. It has a poppier feel, is a little bit more melodic and a little less “manic,” and includes more of what Bradfield describes as his “guilty pleasures.” In particular he has referenced the feel of some of his favorite music from the 70s: “murky, it felt like it had been dug out of the ground…something of the earth about it” which he was hoping to replicate. You can sense a lot of it on the first single:
That’s No Way to Tell a Lie
It has a killer guitar intro, a few “sha la las,” and the obligatory handclaps–residing almost perfectly in the halfway point between the Manic Street Preachers and Johnny Boy. The lyrics deal with his frustration at way organized religion (and the Pope in particular) has facilitated the spread of AIDS in Africa.
An English Gentleman
A tribute to Philip Hall, the late publicist for the Manics. His heart is clear on his sleeve, and the build-up from the light acoustic intro to the full-fledged backing chorus by the end is well done.
For more info on the album, an excellent podcast is available from The Q Review, which includes portions of a few songs, and a fascinating interview with Bradfield. It’s also got a new single from Feeder (remember them?) at the end.
Also, this week’s Contrast Podcast is available, with the theme “Who,” including my first contribution. Appropriately enough, given my subject for today, it’s “The Girl Who Wanted to Be God” by the Manic Street Preachers, from Everything Must Go.
And, if you’re enjoying the JDB and Manics songs and haven’t been to The Runout Groove this month, you absolutely must go. They’ve been going through the entire Manics discography in some rather intense detail.
Intro
Part 1: The First Three Singles
Part 2: Generation Terrorists