Wall of Mouths

I can’t see that it’s any “gayer” (if there’s such a word anyway) than all their previous albums?
Plus, there’s nowt wrong with being gay (which he actually isn’t, by the way) :)

(FIN) King Alcohol wrote:

The Ark is way too much hyper-hyped band.

Maybe in Sweden and Finland ;)

@Fiestaboy: IMO State Of The Ark lacked everything that The Ark is about in most places.

Title: The Ark

Soooo, anyone else here who loves them? ;)

The new album is SOOOO good, a true return to form after the slight disappointment that was “State Of The Ark” :D The new one, “Prayer for the Weekend” is a real feel-good, diverse singalong record and I always play it LOUD when I’m in my car :D

(PS - No slagging because of the ESC, you hear me? ;) )

Nooo, why Nova, why not Frequency*whines*

Dennis wrote:

I wonder if Wire’s view is biased by the fact that he had so much involvement in EMG compared to previous efforts.
It was certainly a strong period for the band but to say the album is their best is a bit too flattering when you consider songs like The Girl Who Wanted To Be God.

I LOVE that song!!
But still, I’d go for THB anytime.

Taunty Dan wrote:

The Manics are one of the most frustrating bands around. For Me Guy has hit the nail on the head, this time next year SATT will be largely forgotten, and for why? Because, in my opinion, Manics fans try to make themselves like recent albums.

I agree. Been there, done that. Same as with other bands.

buffalo-boy wrote:

Re the live thing - i’m glad i’m not the only one who thinks that! I really wanted to get into it but despite a great setlist it all seemed a bit forced and cabaret.

That’s exactly what I thought when I saw that TV broadcast a few weeks ago (and I said the same as you about the audience, actually, so - yeah.)

I’d start with HA and build it up from there :)

Pip wrote:

Deadly will definatly be at that

Although the new album is going to have a duet of a Tout Le Moude with yourone out of Lacuna Coil it mit be dodgy me thinks other then that what I heard on roadrunnerrecords.com is quite good.

I’ve just heard it and it’s disappointing compared to the original.

*goes to search for her old “Youthanasia” CD*

Dire is much too nice a word for that song. That was the beginning of the end of my Manics-love.

However - I’ve heard some more songs from SATT now and they weren’t all that bad.

I love HA. When I first heard If It Kills Me, I instantly loved it. The whole record is easy to get into and they would have deserved far more success with it.

Squall wrote:

Because the new album is great ?

That’s what you say. The songs I’ve heard so far don’t convince me.

Dennis wrote:

I know the band will never do an album as vital or as important as their earlier work, but this album is much better than I had dared to hope. Hence I am now kicking myself for not getting tickets to their Wolverhampton gig. D’oh!

So the key to liking the album is the “Lowered Expectations”-approach? :p
Not really my kind of thing, I must admit.

not_that_kind_of_guy wrote:

@dennis: they played freedom of speech won’t feed my dyson the other week at a german festival.

Yup - here’s the setlist from rockpalast.de:
01. You Love Us
02. I’m Just A Patsy
03. You Stole The Sun From My Heart
04. Underdogs
05. Motorcycle Emptiness
06. Freedom Of Speech Won’t Feed My Children
07. Little Baby Nothing
08. Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
09. From Despair To Where
10. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
11. Send Away The Tigers
12. P.C.P.
13. Autumn Song
14. A Design For Life

(BTW - They filmed the setlist for a few seconds and there was “Enola/Alone” in brackets. Shame they decided not to play it. I might have forgiven them for the new crap then.)

I saw their Cologne gig from two weeks ago on telly yesterday and have to say I’m not impressed (even though James and Sean looked fucking GORGEOUS. Ahem.) - the new stuff sounds like Oasis circa Be Here Now. Pub Rock. Yawn. Well, except Autumn Song. That one was quite nice. Must be the strings.

And they played You Love Us at the start - that’s just WRONG!!!! (We could discuss the point of playing it at all these days really, since it just felt pathetic.)
There were some highlights though: Freedom Of Speech Won’t Feed My Children, From Despair To Where, PCP and Design For Life. Everything else just sounded bland, sounded bland, sounded blaaaaand. And soulless. And if those two clowns at the side of the stage are meant to fatten up the sound, it doesn’t work.

Last point before I’ll stop my rant: The audience. Just old geezers (okay, and three girls in cheerleader outfits saying “Team Wire”) - I think that says a lot. And with old I don’t mean people like us here, just so you know! [/rant]

I think they’re better off doing their solo stuff now. James is far more credible being a singer/songwriter nowadays than being in a rock band. Why be in denial?

Dennis wrote:

If anyone out there is waiting for the Manics album, I have heard it and can tell you that the new single - the one with “that bird out the Cardigans” - is a good representation of where they’re at right now. Bit more oomph than Lifeblood, but not one for the Holy Bible die-hards.

Woo hoo, so much for Wire’s banter that the new album will be oh so rock n’ roll :rolleyes:

Seems I missed quite a ball… :( Ah well, I’ll make it next time.

The first album is great. The second one not *that* great, but still good. And after that…*yawn*
Although - the last one was kinda okay again, so there’s hope the next one will be a bit better even?

EDIT: And Kelly Jones is indeed a little poser.

I LOVE “Coming Up”. “Trash” is a classic.

Brett’s solo album is a bit boring though.

not_that_kind_of_guy wrote:

@ romy: i love you :)

I didn’t know that whining and complaining were something guys like in girls :D

Taunty Dan wrote:

oh mate mate mate!! you shouldn’t give folk credit for plodding on shitfully! give them credit after they’e fucked off for a few years and come back with something worth listening to!!!! :D If you have to hmmm and ponder over a song then fuck me, give up! if it don’t make you go “FUCKING HELL THIS IS AMAZING!!” then its probably not worth it. And this,dear wombles, isn’t. Its dull dull dull. But well done to jimmy bradfield for losing a bit of weight. :)

He looks extremely gorgeous now, doesn’t he? :D

Nope, haven’t heard that one!

I don’t think he’s dead. Don’t ask me why. I think if he were, he wouldn’t have done it in secret.

Anywhoo, back to the new album…I agree, bringing the inverted R’s and the fairies back doesn’t mean th emusic will correspond to that, and after hearing Underdogs and the Nina Persson duet (which would have been cool 10 years ago, but NOT ANYMORE!!), I’m not very optimistic.

And the description from the website that you posted…all those comparisons - why the heck can’t they sound like themselves anymore, just like they used to?!

Plus:

Quote (author unknown):

Aerosmith’s ‘I See You Crying’

It’s “You See ME Crying” for Fuck’s sake. And that’s not even closely a punk rock song. Just as “Cryin’” isn’t one either. If that’s the shape of Manics to come, then thanks, but no thanks.

And I was so hopeful since James’ album*cries*

*goes back to listen to The Ark for glam and fairydust*

The new single is kinda cool.
Their previous stuff is cattle fodder.

I used to love the Cranberries. At least when “No Need To Argue” was released. I played that one to death. And “Linger” (I know that’s not on that album) is a classic.

Squall wrote:

THB is probably best album ever.

Six by Mansun is close too. Stunning album.

Amen to that. I miss Mansun :(

OMG, that song is BORING :(

James looks gorgeous though.

YAY, The Ark for Sweden :D

Seems to become quite an eclectic event this year - judging by the entries from Sweden, Denmark, Austria (okay okay, we are not in it yet) and Germany :D

The new song is alright, but nothing special - after what Nicky had said about it beforehand, I expected a bit more than what it turned out to be.
But nevertheless, a huge improvement from Shiteblood.

Pip wrote:

I’m seriously considering going to the Vienna show is it a nice part of the world?

Vienna is okay. It’s not Berlin, but it’s okay.

Quote (author unknown):

I’ve been to Germany is it similiar? Is the venue any good?

I’ve never been to that venue myself, I have to admit…can anyone enlighten me?

Quote (author unknown):

Is it handy to get accomadation? is it close to the airport? am I asking to many questions :D?

Curious Fucker I am :)

Who wouldn’t ask many questions when you plan a trip? So, booking a room in advance surely is the best bet. And as for the airport…they offer either a train service or a bus service. Of course, the train is a bit more expensive.

Squall wrote:

I’ve met Mark Richardson from Skunk Anansie and Feeder. Really nice guy. Built like a brick shit house obviously. Was really down to earth too - not like a rockstar at all.

:)

Yeah, and much nicer than his other bandmates who have started to think they were rockstars :)

vagabond wrote:

brilliant! hope you can make it!

a WOMble meet-up for some beers before the gig would be a nice!

Absolutely :)

Pip wrote:

Pardon my ignorence but does Austria now use the Euro because I have holidays and money and the will to see T? again.

Yes, we have the Euro!

I’ll try to get to the WUK gig if I can persuade my cousin to let me stay at hers. Been far too long since my last T? gig, and since they don’t come anywhere near me anymore, I guess I’ll have to come to them.

Quote (author unknown):

but this album has all the guitars back, its like 100 broken windows/remote part mixed together.

Ooooh, I shall definitely get my hands on this one then - since I missed out on the last one.

It was so lovely sitting in the sun and watching him play from afar at Frequency Festival last year :)