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Journal For Plague Lovers
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  • Record Label:
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Journal For Plague Lovers Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album for the Welsh rock band was produced by Steve Albini and features lyrics from Richey James Edwards, who went missing in 1995.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Q Magazine
    100
    By breathing life into Richey Edwards's own last words, his friends have crafted not a memorial but a celebration. [Jun 2009, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Overall, Journal For Plague Lovers is a strident comeback that would have been a worthy direct successor to "The Holy Bible" had circumstances been different.
  3. No Ripcord
    80
    With Journal for Plague Lovers, it feels like Manic Street Preachers have finally closed the door on a painful chapter in their career and, rather fittingly, they’ve done it with some aplomb.
  4. Dot Music
    80
    This is something unique, often flawed and often flooring, and as fine and fitting a memorial for its lyricist as could be imagined.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Journal For Plague Lovers is an outstanding album in its own right and is not "The Holy Bible." But then again, what is?
  6. Filter
    78
    To date, this is as close to their masterpiece, The Holy Bible, as they've ever come. [Fall 2009, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. musicOMH.com
    60
    Disjointed, imperfect, tender and raw, at the final reckoning it sits as a fitting epitaph.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Frasoric
    Mar 8, 2023
    10
    Using unreleased lyrics from missing band member Richie (James) Edwards, the album is built around a copy of a Bugs Bunny journal that RichieUsing unreleased lyrics from missing band member Richie (James) Edwards, the album is built around a copy of a Bugs Bunny journal that Richie provided to each member of the band before disappearing. The lyrical tone of the album is based on Richie's experience in several hospitals throughout his life and what he witnessed in them. The band do a great job musically in complimenting Richie's lyrics with providing a unique take on post-punk rock on the record. Without a doubt the bands best release since The Holy Bible and one of their best throughout their entire career.… Expand
  2. Emili
    Jun 6, 2009
    10
    Fantastic album, back to the good old days. Forget about their recent stuff.
  4. JimS
    May 20, 2009
    10
    Stands with "The Holy Bible" and "Everything Must Go" as a sort of trilogy about Richey James' disappearance and the emotional toll it Stands with "The Holy Bible" and "Everything Must Go" as a sort of trilogy about Richey James' disappearance and the emotional toll it took on the band. This is a triumph and best album I've heard this year.… Expand
  5. DavidRCD
    May 20, 2011
    10
    Well... where do I start? The 9th album by the Manics is 14 songs of rock heaven, in my opinion there best album to date with Send away theWell... where do I start? The 9th album by the Manics is 14 songs of rock heaven, in my opinion there best album to date with Send away the tigers in 2nd and everything must go in 3rd. The reason for this is that every song seems to have so much efffort into them, each song has great music, great singing from JDB and of course great lyrics from Richey Edwards. The Holy Bible has great lyrics from Richey Edwards but the music doesnt support them but this type the music does. ITS BRILLIANT.… Expand
  6. JuliaA
    May 22, 2009
    9
    Not the kind of album you'd be hooked on by first spin, but then again,good things do come with long process,same thing applied in Not the kind of album you'd be hooked on by first spin, but then again,good things do come with long process,same thing applied in comprehending this album.… Expand
  7. davim
    Oct 23, 2014
    9
    It was always going to be a brave decision to use lyrics written by Richey Edwards on a Manic Street Preachers album once again, but the bandIt was always going to be a brave decision to use lyrics written by Richey Edwards on a Manic Street Preachers album once again, but the band pulls it off in the only way they know how; by producing an outstanding record. 30 seconds in; following a mean bassline, solid drums, a no nonsense guitar riff from James Dean Bradfield are the lyrics "the more I see, the less I scream. The figure 8 inside out is infinity". Sets the tone for the album perfectly. From then on in, almost every song is flawless. The majority with Powerful overdriven Steve Albini guitar sounds, along with huge choruses, raw energy and some of the most relevant and intellectual lyrics of the 21st century. Others such as "Facing Page: Top Left" and "William's Last Words" much more mellow. The hidden track 'Bag Lady' is also definitely worth a listen.

    For me, this has to be The Manic's best effort since The Holy Bible. Highly recommend it to anybody. (Personal Favourites: Journal For Plague Lovers, Marlon J.D, Pretension/Repulsion)    … Expand
  8. MarkA.
    Sep 22, 2009
    7
    Backspacer is a winner. Great cd by one of the greatest bands of alltime.

See all 17 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2009
89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2009
58
#58 Most Shared Album of 2009