This is an album that can (and I think will) transcend musical taste and age range... 'Lifeblood' may well live forever as one of the best commercial albums of the bands career.
While far from a smashing return to form on par with Everything Must Go (their career high-water mark), Lifeblood should reassure the public that the Manics are not yet artistically bankrupt.
This band NEVER fails......why??? Cause they are to dam smart that's why! Anyone who claims that the Manics have "changed" or "softened This band NEVER fails......why??? Cause they are to dam smart that's why! Anyone who claims that the Manics have "changed" or "softened " is the exact same person that would say they were boring if they DID'NT "mix it up" every album. Nick Dresden of Q magazine obviosly has some kind of hatred for this band. Never have i read a reviewer rip into a band with absolutley nothing to back it up except his own hate for the band. Q magazine never should have even printed such a review... its almost racist! Oh yeah and by the way ... Know Your Enemy was great too. And let us never forget this is the band that gave us the Holy Bible and Everything Must Go.…Expand
This is definitely the Manics' best album since Everything Must Go. It is very elegant, beautiful, subtle, and soothing. There's This is definitely the Manics' best album since Everything Must Go. It is very elegant, beautiful, subtle, and soothing. There's almost any guitar on it, but James fills in that gap with his awesome voice. It's so disturbing to see some people not happy with this album. It is a masterpiece.…Expand
Whilst this album has it's doubters, it genuinely has a feel of success for the Manics, and one can't help but feel that perhaps Whilst this album has it's doubters, it genuinely has a feel of success for the Manics, and one can't help but feel that perhaps the old Manics are on their way back. Their next album could be vital!…Collapse
Though marred a bit by overly-glossy production and by James Dean Bradfield's crazy notion that him playing less guitar is a GOOD thing, Though marred a bit by overly-glossy production and by James Dean Bradfield's crazy notion that him playing less guitar is a GOOD thing, this is a fantastically beautiful album that will especially gratify those who fancy a ranging tenor voice.…Expand
The bands most electronic based album to date, Lifeblood brought a new sound to the band while still following the bands traditional lyricalThe bands most electronic based album to date, Lifeblood brought a new sound to the band while still following the bands traditional lyrical themes such as politics and despair. The albums strongest section is the beginning with songs such as 1985 based on the Berlin Wall and Empty Souls being a song about the bands reaction to 9/11. With saying that there are some weak parts on the album with songs like Always/Never which feels like track filler and brings nothing to the record. The album is worth a listen for modern Manic fans, but veteran's might find the new sound direction troublesome.…Expand
The last album was horrible, and they knew it. This is the Manics grown-up. Nicky Wire has come up with some great lyrics - is the anger The last album was horrible, and they knew it. This is the Manics grown-up. Nicky Wire has come up with some great lyrics - is the anger gone? Or is it being expressed more eloquently? Musically, it just confirms that the cousins Moore&Bradfield are exceptionally talented musicians. There'll never be another Holy Bible. So just enjoy the evolution, revolution, revolution, revolution... Puts me in mind of U2's latest offering - critical silencingly good, but not as you'd expect.…Expand
Utterly Utterly awful, genuinely made me question whether I should ever buy any of their records again. Preceded by the worst single they'veUtterly Utterly awful, genuinely made me question whether I should ever buy any of their records again. Preceded by the worst single they've ever released (Stiff competition considering that Let Robeson Sing was released as a single), lyrically poor, rambling and incoherent at times, mundane artwork that Nicky appears to have tossed off in ten minutes (isn't it cool how blood looks when its so white? and blood is life, and white is pure!!! That's enough, where's my hoover?). It's very flat, musically directionless and about as inspiring as a beige coat hanger.…Expand
