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The Great Western
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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Great Western Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the solo debut for the Manic Street Preachers frontman.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Uncut
    80
    Real-life dramas wrapped in uplifting tunes. [Aug 2006, p.86]
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  2. Mojo
    80
    A typically heartfelt and demonstrative record given to wistful glances backward. [Aug 2006, p.90]
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  3. The Guardian
    80
    An Everything Must Go-ish vein of melodrama runs through the music, which stands up to being sung along to in the shower... but Bradfield also deserves plaudits for his lyrics.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Sounds like a man freed from the shackles of history. [22 Jul 2006, p.31]
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  5. Q Magazine
    70
    The Great Western is arguably stronger than either of the last two Manics albums. [Aug 2006, p.116]
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  6. Dot Music
    70
    It is modest, lucid and tender.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. HarrietHa.
    Jul 17, 2007
    10
    Not one song I would skip on this, they're all class! JDB's voice is just a thing of beauty. It won't change the world of rock Not one song I would skip on this, they're all class! JDB's voice is just a thing of beauty. It won't change the world of rock 'n' roll, but sometimes all you want from an album is quality tunes, an amazing voice, and epic guitar riffs. It's just a greay great album.… Expand
  2. jamesl
    Sep 1, 2006
    10
    Brilliant!!!!!!!!!
  4. DanS
    Oct 23, 2006
    10
    This is a wonderful pop album. Bradfeild shows on this effort that he doesn't really need Nicky Wire to write lyrics for him. This is This is a wonderful pop album. Bradfeild shows on this effort that he doesn't really need Nicky Wire to write lyrics for him. This is better than the last Manics album. I can't stop listening to it! Bradfeild has a great solo career ahead of him (which I can't say for Nicky after listening to his solo release).… Expand
  5. ThomB
    Aug 21, 2006
    9
    Why are the Manics not huge in the US? Bradfield's first feature length solo-effort delivers the goods. Not too Manics yet not too far Why are the Manics not huge in the US? Bradfield's first feature length solo-effort delivers the goods. Not too Manics yet not too far removed from more recent Manics albums.… Collapse
  6. adils
    May 11, 2007
    9
    It's a great album, I love it. It's better than Lifeblood.
  7. JuliaA
    Sep 12, 2006
    9
    an excellent work is all I can say...because I will brag about him for soooo looong if I let myself writing loosely on him :) .congrats for an excellent work is all I can say...because I will brag about him for soooo looong if I let myself writing loosely on him :) .congrats for the album!.and what makes me jealous of his works (both as solo and in the band) is the way he could control his screamings and low tones at the very precise energy and power.… Expand
  8. HarryH
    Nov 18, 2006
    6
    Not terrible but not too great either. Much better than the last few Manics albums though.

See all 9 User Reviews

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