• Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Apr 24, 2001
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. 60
    Know Your Enemy is a fine -- if slightly long and somewhat fractured -- primer to the moods of one of Britain's most (self) important bands
  2. Cull the arrogance, the laziness, the ill-considered ignorance, the (that word yet again) sneering, and there wouldn't be a better album than Know Your Enemy, and not just of this year. Cull the brave lyrics, the moments of inspiration, the songs to treasure and the moments of honesty and, were it available in dogfood form, you wouldn't feed Know Your Enemy to your hounds.
  3. Alternative Press
    60
    If 1987-era U2 is your bag, you'll dig it. [Jul 2001, p.74]
  4. When it works, this can be pretty invigorating, but when it doesn't, it's utterly maddening.
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. Mar 8, 2023
    7
    Know Your Enemy never felt like a album, instead it always felt like three EPs merged together which was spread across the seventy-five minuteKnow Your Enemy never felt like a album, instead it always felt like three EPs merged together which was spread across the seventy-five minute runtime. This isn't a bad thing, but in terms of the album there are some songs that are lacking which brings down the overall listen. There's a lot of punk, acoustic and electronic influences which feels like an attempt to blend the earlier Manics sound into the 21st century. Despite the album falling short in some areas, it's still worth the listen with a lot of great songs that helped build the band's career. Full Review »
  2. Sep 28, 2020
    3
    Dismal effort that is devoid of everything that long-time fans of MSP enjoy.
  3. JuliaA
    Sep 15, 2006
    8
    there's nothing wrong with this album, but the thing that made it sounds bad was people are still in such a mood of 'This Is My there's nothing wrong with this album, but the thing that made it sounds bad was people are still in such a mood of 'This Is My Truth...'...you know...TIMTTMY was not a quick-paced music,so when they're back with the rocky KYE,it was a bit of 'shock therapy' for people (the critiques).this is an alright album with superb contents. but still...I gave it 8 because eventhough I'm an avid fan of every single MSP album, I can't get myself to enjoy 'Wattsville Blues' (Nicky must be drunk when he sings,it's so out of tunes) and 'So Why So Sad' (it must be the intro.that 'parapa-parapa-parapa' chants made it sounded,well,cheesy).those two songs just don't fit there. Full Review »