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Gold Against the Soul

Manic Street Preachers

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Album Review

Taking the hard rock inclinations of Generation Terrorists to an extreme, the Manic Street Preachers delivered a flawed but intriguing second album with Gold Against the Soul. Inspired by Guns N' Roses, the Manics decided to rework their working-class angst as heavy arena rock; they seize upon the latent politicism of Guns N' Roses' tortured white-trash metal, interpreting it as a call to arms. Since the Manics are more intellectual and revolutionary than the Gunners, Gold Against the Soul burns with inspired, if confused, rhetoric. The Manics, however, aren't quite as gifted with hooks at this stage — their power derives from their self-belief, which they can't quite translate into songs. They are given a bigger, louder production on Gold Against the Soul, which makes the album a more visceral listen than Generation Terrorists, but the songs aren't as consistently compelling as those on the debut. "From Despair to Where" is a vibrant anthem, and "Drug Drug Druggy," "Roses in the Hospital," "Yourself," and "Sleepflower" all have a similar energy, but the peaks don't arrive quite as frequently as before. Nevertheless, the rage is more articulate and the sound is stronger, making Gold Against the Soul a flawed but worthy step forward.

Customer Reviews

Not Everyone's Favourite
     

Very different from pretty much all other manics albums, although closest to its predecessor generation terrorists - maintaining a similar if heavier sound, the lyrics are more powerfully delivered the tone altered, the sound more exaggerated. Songs: Sleepflower - fast rocky opener, one of the strongest tracks, relying on a solid riff, more spaced out chorus. The song is one of the strongest on the album and the 'solo' is sound, if better described as an instrumental breaker, featuring an almost church like set of chiming sounds and 'oohing'. From Despair to Where - Electronic violin sounds dominate, a more poppy and catchy chorus, again one of the better songs - single. La Tristesse Durera - Light beggings, built around a clean riff and building into a catchy chorus and top solo, again a single, possibly the strongest track. Yourself - Overdriven scretching guitar, deep bass, power chords - about self-condemnation, enogh strong effort, last of the openign 'power four'. Life Becoming a Landslide - easily the worst on the album, chorus like an old soap opera theme, generally woeful. Drug Drug Druggy - back on form great solo, great lyrics, more generic of the albums sound as a whole. Roses in the Hospital - again a good song, positive guitar sound that dominates the album from druggy onwards, quite catchy, lyrically sound, but more laid back than otehrs, build up well to solid ending fade out to 'forever-ever delay-ay-ayed' possibly the inspiration for the title of the greatest hits (which this is not on). Nostalgic Pushead & Symphony of Tourette - both rockier effort containing that same early nineties just post punk sound around the grunge era and before the more modern rock sounds. Both decent efforts. Gold Against the Soul - the title track is good although not a stand out similar to pushead and symphony of T. Again a good song. A Top quality album, different from most other manics albums, and although lacking the political judegements and more emotional edge of later efforts, this is still one of my favourite manics albums, pleasent on the ear, only one weak track (LBAL), amply riffery and guitar solos. If the sound is a bit dated it only adds to the charm.

Brilliant
     

Even if the band thinks that this is their weakest album I think it's the best one. I love it. It's different from all others. It's perfect for running since it really pushes you forward.

Guns N' Who?
     

No offence to the person who review the album but saying that they where trying to be like Guns N' Roses is aload of rubbish. Way back in 1993 when this album came out "Grunge" ruled the airwaves of countries like America and England, and the Manic Street Preachers saw this opportunity to try and break America having failed to do so with there "Generation Terrorists" album, hence the different style in music compaired to all of there other albums. To be far this is a very underrated piece of work (like RATM's "Battle of Los Angeles" was), ok its no "The Holy Bible" or even "Everything Must Go" but it shines in alot of other different ways. The album as a whole is solid and has some great moments like "From Despair to Where", and "Roses in the Hospital" to name acouple. Fans of The Manics or music in general shouldnt be put off by what other people say, because album is a definite grower if you give it the time.

Biography

Formed: 1991 in Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales

Genre: Alternative

Years Active: '90s, '00s

Dressed in glam clothing, wearing heavy eyeliner, and shouting political rhetoric, the Manic Street Preachers emerged in 1991 from their hometown of Blackwood, Wales, as self-styled "Generation Terrorists." Fashioning themselves after the Clash and the Sex Pistols, the Manics were on a mission, intending to restore revolution to rock & roll at a time when Britain was dominated by trancey shoegazers and faceless, trippy acid house. Their self-consciously dangerous image,...
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