Postcards From a Young Man
by Manic Street Preachers
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2010
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Mojo
    60
    Strings, gospel choirs, outeros inspired by Queen--the Manics' 10th album cranks up the drama, but in their hands grandiose needn't be a dirty word. [Oct 2010, p.94]
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  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    For all the furious posturing, the message is veneered too neatly with streamlined riffs and swamped too deep in nice-as-pie orchestral melodies. Seething rants seem to pack more of a punch when the product is less polished, and tend to get lost when bookended with excessively opulent trappings. This is rock music, after all.
  3. Dot Music
    60
    The Welsh agit-poppers' tenth album isn't terrible--certainly not as listless or confused as Lifeblood--but it does sound lazy, lyrically and sonically.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    60
    For a band so obsessed with invoking their past, you do wish the Manics weren't so reluctant to throw in a bit of the old grit and ardour. It's a very nicely put together record, but there are moments so far away from the music that drew you to this band in the first place that you wonder if it's wrong to question what you're actually doing here.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    This lack of organic feeling, when paired with the continuous mention of "commercial" aims, becomes troubling.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Frasoric
    Mar 8, 2023
    8
    Postcards From A Young Man is a album filled with lighter acoustic rock songs that could be heard on the radio(which isn't a bad thing). ThePostcards From A Young Man is a album filled with lighter acoustic rock songs that could be heard on the radio(which isn't a bad thing). The album provides instrumental work from Duff McKagan(Guns'n Roses), John Cale(Velvet Underground) and also vocals from Ian McCulloch(Echo and the Bunnymen). In saying that there are some sections of the record that fall short being the lyrics. Referencing the Godfather films and songs about making music doesn't seem that inspired compared to the bands track history. In summary, it's a good listen for a band that has been releasing music for two decades.… Full Review »
  2. candyflip
    Apr 19, 2011
    9
    This album grew on me a lot, and quickly. Wasn't impressed at all initially. Still not convinced about Hazelton Avenue.. Highlights imoThis album grew on me a lot, and quickly. Wasn't impressed at all initially. Still not convinced about Hazelton Avenue.. Highlights imo however include the title track (great outro), Auto-Intoxication (interesting chord progressions with an excellent and typically Manics chorus), All We Make Is Entertainment (similar drumming to that on THB in places) and The Future Has Been Here 4 Ever (that awesome trumpet, great lyrics delivered really well by Nicky). In places on this record the Manics are on fire. Always creative and full of ideas, great songs, and James' voice still as towering and breathtaking as ever.… Full Review »
  3. Melendreras
    Oct 25, 2010
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Realmente es como si estas canciones fuesen los descartes de JFPL. No obstante, ojala hubiera mas discos de descartes como este. Y es cierto qeu suena a Manics, pero afortunadamente, eso es una gran noticia. Disfruten de la buena música, sin mas pretensiones.… Full Review »
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