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

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  1. fabulousdisaster
    Sep 3, 2002
    10
    Although some of Nicky's lyrics are way too intelligent for me I give KYE 10 out of 10 for effort, it has some beautiful songs i.e. Let Robeson Sing and So Why So Sad [a real pop song] Not what some fans expected but there are rockier songs too like Found That Soul. I think there's something for everyone if only they'd give it a chance. I like its diversity.
  2. fabulousdisaster
    Sep 3, 2002
    10
    Although some of Nicky's lyrics are way too intelligent for me I give KYE 10 out of 10 for effort, it has some beautiful songs i.e. Let Robeson Sing and So Why So Sad [a real pop song] Not what some fans expected but there are rockier songs too like Found That Soul. I think there's something for everyone if only they'd give it a chance. I like its diversity.
  3. LeoW.
    Oct 28, 2001
    8
    On "Know Your Enemy" the Manics are in over their heads again. The record is over-long. There are miscues on it like "Miss Europa Disco Dancer" and "Wattsville Blues", songs which should have been reserved for b-sides. And on the evidence here, the political views of this most political of rock'n'roll bands are incoherent at best. Looking for an alternative to capitalism's On "Know Your Enemy" the Manics are in over their heads again. The record is over-long. There are miscues on it like "Miss Europa Disco Dancer" and "Wattsville Blues", songs which should have been reserved for b-sides. And on the evidence here, the political views of this most political of rock'n'roll bands are incoherent at best. Looking for an alternative to capitalism's excesses and the best you can come up with is Cuba? Please. So "Know Your Enemy" is a bit of a mess but all that said, for my money it?s a good mess. The way, for example, that the Beatles White Album was a good mess. Throw in everything but the kitchen sink and don't fuss about it. Enemy?s predecessor, "This Is My Truth?" was a little too neat and tidy. This album rights the balance, sonically and attitude-wise. Songs like "Found That Soul", "The Convalescent" and "Ocean Spray" are as good as any the band has produced. "Baby Elian" is a great rock and roll song ? just ignore its muddled lyrics. I even enjoyed the MSP-does-REM of "The Year of Purification". "Everything Must Go" it's not but as a set of tough songs for a tough year, it?ll do just fine. Collapse
  4. Elena
    Apr 5, 2002
    10
    I like this album, the CD lyrics' style makes you feel so close to them:). My favorites are 'Ocean Spray', 'So Why So Sad', 'His Last Painting'...
  5. donniedarko
    Feb 18, 2005
    7
    some songs are very good! Ocean spray, So why so sad are the best, and u will never find songs similar to them in any album in the history, but as a whole This is My Truth Tell me Yours is their best album! maybe the only album in my music listening history that i really loved each single song in it!
  6. 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 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 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. Expand
  7. DannyM.
    Dec 20, 2001
    9
    At last an album of beliefs, hopes and dreams -dashed!. Certainly risky, definatley political. Possibly a bit too deep for some. However after a few plays I have hardly had this CD out of my player and it is now Christmas. "Baby Elian" sends a message to all of us, "Why so Sad" is just a great medley, and "Let Roebson Sing" is a beautiful political ballad. Fans should love it, rebels too At last an album of beliefs, hopes and dreams -dashed!. Certainly risky, definatley political. Possibly a bit too deep for some. However after a few plays I have hardly had this CD out of my player and it is now Christmas. "Baby Elian" sends a message to all of us, "Why so Sad" is just a great medley, and "Let Roebson Sing" is a beautiful political ballad. Fans should love it, rebels too but if you like poppy, happy tunes then best stick to S Club 7. A triumph for the Welsh band and their best work yet. Expand
  8. JorisV.
    Dec 10, 2004
    10
    Sorry people I don't get it, It's my favourite Manics album and one you can listen to over and over again because of the great variety of styles! From Ocean Spray to intensive rockers as Intravenous Agnostic and the great Dead Martyrs, this album is the real thing. Experimental and beautiful, a not so common combination nowadays
  9. 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 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 ManicsKnow 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. Expand
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. 70
    Know Your Enemy loses all its momentum when Manic Street Preachers decide that they have something to say.
  2. 70
    The record is such a sprawling, unwieldy beast that the instrumental hooks take time to emerge.
  3. 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