Post subject: Manic Street Preachers - Generation Terrorists - 20 years
Manic Street Preachers released their debut album 'Generation Terrorists' exactly 20 years ago from this very date. That is 10th February, which is a long time by the way.
Containing 18 tracks, the majority of which were single worthy, this so called "double album" (it wasn't) was meant to set the world on fire and sell 16 million copies, after which Manic Street Preachers would headline Wembley 3 nights in a row before splitting up. This plan never came to fruition and thankfully they are still around today. Generation Terrorists has sold 250,000 copies as of now, while the most acclaimed album 'The Holy Bible' has 300,000, although they have beat that 16 million albums total with the combined sales of all of their albums. So things went good.
While 'Generation Terrorists' had the potential to be as big a debut as 'Definitely Maybe' it was marred by bad production and complaints about it being too long. While I agree with the production (very quiet) I would have to say that the length is just right. The more songs the better! Keep em all on there This is a rock n roll, not a cooking book.
So what's on here? We'll find out...
Well these are the highlights anyway:
1. Slash N Burn
Fire and Babycham poured from a burning stage onto a damning condemnation of America's Slash and Burn tactic in Vietnam. I think there might be an analogy in there about a capitalist society doing the same thing to everyday person... maybe. There is something about McDonalds and Coca Cola in there.
Prosperity - exports for Pol Pot
Prosperity - Mein Kampf for beginners
Not a fan of banks I see An overlooked ditty in the sea of Manic Street Preachers songs. The siren of the impending doom that could fall the world. So much more relevant in 2012.
Out on the cruel cliffs, waves lashing below, staring at the abyss and while plotting against the world. All while wearing a pair of badass shades. Such a simple riff paired with Richey and Nicky's greatest combined lyric to create the Manic Street Preachers crowning moment of awesome. And that chorus...
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
... so meaningful and lovely. Truly a piece of work that deserved all the praise it had it's way. A love letter to the beaten down and rejected.
A condemnation of the porn industry and degradation of the people who enter it... I think. It's a duet and a whole lot lighter than what has come before. Points far further into their future than they would be aware of at the time. Doesn't sound dated though. A great big vein of beauty pumps through this ballad.
I have no idea what this one's about. There is a reference to the 'Born To Run' in the first verse so perhaps it is a condemnation of all the rock stars and their excess? Anti culture anthem? A molotov at the trendy and chic? When Richey and Nicky first wrote the lyric they called it 'Generation Terrorists' but it got changed in the studio to 'Stay Beautiful' when I assume someone decided the former would make a better album title. No idea... what I do know though is that this 3 minute wonder packs a punch.
To all the people who think these guys take themselves to seriously... well they have had odd bumps of that through their time. Here's what happens when they don't care about anything 0% interest in what others have to say. The most ridiculas track they have ever recorded AS WELL as their greatest guitar playing in their whole career. That's how you should end albums. Send em to hell...
Post subject: Re: Manic Street Preachers - Generation Terrorists - 20 year
Thanks for posting this, though. Motorcycle Emptiness is a great song, and after the February SRE listening to their most recent album, I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the songs on their debut album.
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This is a rock n roll, not a cooking book.
An overlooked ditty in the sea of Manic Street Preachers songs. The siren of the impending doom that could fall the world. So much more relevant in 2012.
Glory at its highest.
