Brand new longplayers…

‘The Ultra Vivid Lament by MANIC STREET PREACHERS

Band: MANIC STREET PREACHERS
Album: THE ULTRA VIVID LAMENT
The Welsh rockers’ 14th longplayer

NME says: “The band delve into loss, insecurity and existential dread, resulting in some of the prettiest songs of their career… The record has its flaws, but in the end they are minor bumps
in a record of intense beauty, among the best of the Manics’ records this century.” Full review here. Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Even after all these years, the Manics – one of my-all time favorite bands – do what they do terrifically best, writing adrenalin-fueled pop anthems that make your ears tremble the moment they stream out of your stereo speakers. I know, their slash-‘n’-burn punk edge of the early days is gone, and they pop more than they rock now, with sticking symphonic sparks, and they still tackle social issues/injustices – past and present – with a pointed knife. A band designed for life.

Stream here…

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MANICS: Facebook
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Band: SLEIGH BELLS
Album: TEXIS
The New York duo’s fifth full length

The Line Of Best Fit says: “TEXIS delivers everything that one could hope to find on a Sleigh Bells record: dance worthy beats, angelic vocals, and satisfying boisterousness. While TEXIS could have afforded more variability, it remains a testament to the act’s ability to express a range of emotions without killing the tempo.” Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Sleigh Bells combine half tunes, with half grooves, half beats and half booms, then throw the whole shebang in a bubbling electro bath. Don’t expect a Saturday Night Fever Party, but a rather Saturday Of Messed-Up Minds Madness. Actually, my messed-up cup of tea.

Stream here…

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SLEIGH BELLS: Facebook

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Band: METALLICA
Album: METALLICA BLACKLIST
What: A massive covers compilation called The Metallica Blacklist featuring
no less than 53 artists interpreting a Black Album song, the breakthrough LP
that celebrated its 30th last month.

Pitchfork writes: “There’s some great music on The Metallica Blacklist, but how great can
an album truly be if you can’t stomach listening to it in one sitting? The Black Album launched Metallica to superstardom because of its approachability, but in its attempts to offer something for everyone, Blacklist spreads itself too thin.” Full review here. Score: 6/10.

Turn Up The Volume: 66 tracks, 5 hours and 56 minutes! No, thank you. Really too much for my ears. And, to be honest, I was never a devoted Metallica fan, but millions are, so there you go.

Stream here…

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METALLICA: Facebook

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Band: THE VACCINES
Album: BACK IN LOVE CITY
Fifth LP by the London indie rockers

DIY magazine‘s verdict: “The Vaccines allow their unashamed love for pop to soar
on ‘Back In Love City’. Against Justin’s increasingly interesting way with words, it feels
like the purest Vaccines album yet.” Full review here. Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: The one and only Vaccines album I frequently return to is their debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?. Its razor-sharp, no fillers all killers brilliance melted away along their long and winding road. Mind you, this new one has some big moments… but just not enough. Also, too much over-orchestrated bombast. Their first vaccine is still their most effective working in my book.

Stream here…

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THE VACCINES: Facebook