I have always been a great fan of Manic St Preachers and in recent years they have matured like a bloody good cheese. Their last outing was a splendid colelction of ditties which I thought was the best album of 2004.
When I heard earlier in the year that Bradfield himself was to release a solo album I thought that would be an interestign concept, maybe I thought he would let rip into a new style, away from the Manics...
I was wrong, and I am so glad I was, the album is a Manics album, whichever way you look at it, I mean it is James Dean himself who is the heart of the band, songwriter, musician etc, so he is just doing what he knows best,writing fucking good songs.
The album is a bit of a gem, it begins with the first single lifted, Thats no way to tell a lie, which is a classic, its Bradfield at his best, coupled with a chorus backing reminescent of Joy Division / New order.
Bad boys and painkillers is by far the highlight of this great debut, its elegant and dramatic pop, the vocals and backing are exqusite.
Still a long way to go is a diamond track, its a mature song with strength in its arrangement and shows how much Bradfield has beautiful songwriting off to a tee.
There is an acosutic guitar/vocal only on this called To see a friend in tears which is just superb, the vocals are crystal and the sentiment heartfelt.
I admired the Manics for writing great songs that also carried a message, but it seems Bradfield hs shyed away from that, both on this and the last Manic album. Instead he has kept his talent for writing great melodies but has kept the subject matter more personal and perhaps more human.
Magic.
Marks out of 10: 9 
