MANIC STREET PREACHERS LIFEBLOOD ALBUM COLUMBIA RELEASE: NOVEMBER 1, 2004 REVIEW: DECEMBER 1, 2004

The Manics are back with a vengeance. The last album “Know Your Enemy” was a big disappointment for me, as it focused less on pop pearls and more on political statements and noisy rock. When The Manic Street Preachers do what they do best, they make absolutely fantastic music, with a sense of melody matched by few.
This time around, they have focused on the melodies again and have employed producer help from Tony Visconti (David Bowie, Prefab Sprout, Adam Ant and many others), Greg Haver (Catatonia, Super Furry Animals) and Tom Elmhirst (Erasure, Goldfrapp). The result is a splendid return to form, and a more electronic, processed sound that I adore.
I’ve played the album a lot now, and even though it can’t reach the dizzy heights of “Everything Must Go”, it still is a damn good collection of shimmering compositions. Just listen to “To Repel Ghosts” and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

JOHAN CARLSSON