Manic Street Preachers - Autumnsong | Single & Video Review
The Manic Street Preachers seem to be back to their best. I say seem because you can never be too sure with bands that have been around as long as they have. This song does nothing to dent my confidence that they are rocking again after a few years where I could quite literally take them or leave them.
It’s called ‘Autumnsong’ and was released on 23rd July in the UK. I’m slowly catching up with all the singles I want to review, I’m now only a week behind! This song reached number 10 in the UK charts this week, so it seems the old fans have come out in force to support the band again. see what you think…
This song kicks ass, throwing everything in you’d expect from a classic piece of Manics music. Built around a simple yet effective guitar riff, the whole song has an anthemic quality to it that I haven’t heard from the band since ‘Everything Must Go’ in 1996. Wow, has it been that long? Man, I’m getting old.
James Dean Bradfield’s voice has always been impressive, and he seems to really get hold of this track and make it something special. It immediately gets you moving and tapping your fingers. The chorus is even better, with it building up in a crescendo until you, like Bradfield, are singing it at the top of your voice.
The video is good, although with a song like this, I love to see the band performing it, even if it’s just snatches in between the main storyline. It shows a group of British youngsters and what they get up to, focussing on the good and carefree times that they are. I particularly like the scene in the club with a DJ wearing a fluoro jacket, that new emblem for the new rave/indie scene. It’s like the Manics know they need to start talking to a new generation, and hopefully gain some fans in the process.
The song, like the video seems to be about enjoying your youth, and making the most of the freedom you have while young. I take the repeating lyrics of “Now baby, what you done to your hair?” as a parent bemoaning the fact they don’t understand the fashion of the day. It ends with the immortal line “Remember, the best times are yet to come.”
All in all a great song, and a great video. I really think this is the best material the Manic Street Preachers have made in 10 years. This track is enough to make me want to buy the album it’s from which is called ‘Send Away The Tigers’. So, having said that, you can expect a full review of the album which came out on July 24th in the USA. Keep your browsers pointed towards Brit Music Scene.
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POSTED IN: Britpop, Manic Street Preachers, Reviews, Rock, Singles, Videos
1 opinion for Manic Street Preachers - Autumnsong | Single & Video Review
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