Manic Street Preachers ‘Critical Thinking’ review: Lyrics are all that matters

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No matter what the music of Manic Street Preachers has sounded like, the words have always mattered. Maybe you began at one of several stages. From the beginning (Generation Terrorists), the Manics were punks. Then came The Holy Bible, the band’s third record, and no one (and I mean no one) sounded like they did. They were rough-hewn and not easily digested and yet, they were great.

To be honest, nothing I’ve heard in the gaming world comes close to their music. Even though Richey Edwards disappeared, their third album was incredibly powerful emotionally. It was raw, dark, and enchanting all at once. Despite his absence, James Dean Bradfield kept singing, Nicky Wire played the bass, and Sean Moore held down the rhythm. Richey mainly wrote poetry, but his spirit was still very much present in every note they played.

Apart from The Holy Bible, the band significantly improved when Edwards was no longer with them. Their fourth album, released without Edwards, was titled Everything Must Go and achieved a popularity the group hadn’t experienced before but truly deserved. This was closely matched by their next album, This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours.

This version maintains the original meaning while using more straightforward language to improve readability.

How good is the Manic Street Preachers new album, Critical Thinking?

After undergoing a transformation, the Manic Street Preachers’ music style shifted away from punk towards a more alternative sound. This change wasn’t driven by a desire to boost record sales; instead, it was about staying authentic to their personalities. Each album they produce in the future will have a unique sound distinct from their first three records, and that’s perfectly fine.

Though the new album, “Critical Thinking,” may seem quite different from “The Holy Bible” in terms of its sound, it’s the words that truly matter once again. There’s a relaxed vibe to be found, even if the production seems to lean more towards calypso than rock. However, this difference is perfectly fine. What’s important is to focus on the lyrics.

If you were a fan of the Manics’ last album, Ultra Vivid Lament, I can relate – it was exceptional, yet it strayed from their punk roots. However, with enough innovative twists, even the legendary Richey Edwards might find it hard to recognize the band of the ’90s. Yet, the essence of great music remains, and a band has every right to…well, not so much evolve as pivot their direction.

The new album offers something for everyone’s taste, including a track dedicated to Morrissey titled “Dear Stephen.” This song highlights his talent while subtly addressing the controversial political stances of the ex-Smiths frontman. A couplet in the song goes like this: “I remain captive to you and Larkin,/Despite your history growing darker.

Nevertheless, the tune isn’t aimed at expressing any animosity towards Morrissey, but rather evoking the sensation of being sixteen years old. Musically, this sentiment seems to recur consistently across the latest album.

As the Manic Street Preachers evolve with time, they’re undeniably becoming more mellow, yet this doesn’t diminish their significance. They’re not aiming to produce a chart-topping album as public acclaim isn’t their main focus. Instead, they’re creating music that resonates with them, and it’s only natural for their fans to appreciate it. And indeed, their fans should. While it may not be another “The Holy Bible,” no album truly can be.

It’s clear that the quality of the music, the tunes, and the performance are outstanding in this album. The band clearly knows their stuff. While the lyrics may not be groundbreaking, they still hold significance, as they often have in the past. This makes the album a worthwhile purchase to expand your Manic Street Preachers vinyl collection.

Grade: 7 out of 10

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2025-02-14 15:01