Having briefly considered doing a detailed overview of the Manics albums, I lost interest halfway through Send Away The Tigers. I still have no idea how Bradfield and Wire could record something as soul-devoid and artistically impotent as that - especially if you take into account that both of them had just released masterful solo albums (in retrospect, I Killed The Zeitgeist was not quite so masterful after all). The first thirty seconds of "Underdogs" are enough to instill existential fear into my heart, and the obvious cover of "Working Class Hero" was no more than a cheap cop-out. So let's just say that The Holy Bible is towering well above the rest of their discography, still.
Instead, here is a list of ten best songs by the band.
10. "Freedom Of Speech Won't Feed My Children" (2001)
If you are ever going to give Manic Street Preachers some time of your life, you will have to tolerate titles like that. This was the last song on Know Your Enemy, which was their most diverse and underrated LP.
9. "Postcards From A Young Man" (2010)
Postcards From A Young Man was a good album but it suffered from being released too soon after the terrific and emotionally draining Journal For Plague Lovers. Still, the title song was their classic anthem.
8. "The Next Jet To Leave Moscow" (2014)
This is from Futurology, a loosely conceptual LP from 2014 and one of James Dean Bradfield's favourite albums by the band. "The Next Jet To Leave Moscow" has a terrific driving rhythm that carries a simple but masterful melody from Wales' greatest songwriter (after John Cale).
7. "This Sullen Welsh Heart" (2013)
Featuring Lucy Rose, this opening song from Rewind The Film was an understated anthem with an unforgettable tune underpinned by subtle and stately acoustic instrumentation. The lyrics were good, too, but do not get me started on those.
6. "4st 7lb" (1994)
A properly ugly song about anorexia. From The Holy Bible.
5. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (1998)
I planned to omit this one from my list for all the obvious reasons but in the end I did not want to fight it. The song is too good. Excessively clean, granted, but so well-written. Should be the new anthem of Belarus.
4. "Kevin Carter" (1996)
Most fans of the band would tell you that it is a toss-up between The Holy Bible and Everything Must Go. I never felt that way. Everything Must Go sounded a little too polite, even if "Kevin Carter" was an all-time classic. Featuring a trumpet solo, no less.
3. "This Joke Sport Severed" (2009)
I love this little tune from Journal For Plague Lovers to an unhealthy degree. Especially good are those god-like strings that come out of nowhere and reach the sort of catharsis the band had not touched in years.
2. "Motorcycle Emptiness" (1992)
Putting this one down is like putting down "Across The Universe" or "Smells Like Teen Spirit". What's the fucking point? Basically, Generation Terrorists had 17 songs. And "Motorcycle Emptiness".
1. "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart" (1994)
The best song on The Holy Bible is also the best song by Manic Street Preachers. Ugly, catchy, uncomfortable, irresistible. What else is there to it? Nothing, as far as Manics are concerned.
