Gold Against the Soul

by Manic Street Preachers

Overview

Taking the hard rock inclinations of Generation Terrorists to an extreme, the Manic Street Preachers delivered a flawed but intriguing second album with Gold Against the Soul. Inspired by Guns N' Roses, the Manics decided to rework their working-class angst as heavy arena rock; they seize upon the latent politicism of Guns N' Roses' tortured white-trash metal, interpreting it as a call to arms. Since the Manics are more intellectual and revolutionary than the Gunners, Gold Against the Soul burns with inspired, if confused, rhetoric. The Manics, however, aren't quite as gifted with hooks at this stage -- their power derives from their self-belief, which they can't quite translate into songs. They are given a bigger, louder production on Gold Against the Soul, which makes the album a more visceral listen than Generation Terrorists, but the songs aren't as consistently compelling as those on the debut. "From Despair to Where" is a vibrant anthem, and "Drug Drug Druggy," "Roses in the Hospital," "Yourself," and "Sleepflower" all have a similar energy, but the peaks don't arrive quite as frequently as before. Nevertheless, the rage is more articulate and the sound is stronger, making Gold Against the Soul a flawed but worthy step forward. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/12/2020
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0194397336115
Rank:	71743

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Sleepflower
2. From Despair to Where
3. La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)
4. Yourself
5. Life Becoming a Landslide

Disc 2

6. Drug Drug Druggy
7. Roses in the Hospital
8. Nostalgic Pushead
9. Symphony of Tourette
10. Gold Against the Soul

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Manic Street Preachers   Primary Artist
Richey James   Guitar (Rhythm),Vocals (Background)
Sean Moore   Drums,Sampling,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
James Dean Bradfield   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Dave Eringa   Piano,Organ (Hammond)
Nicky Wire   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Ian Kewley   Piano,Organ (Hammond)
Ian Kewlet   Piano,Organ (Hammond)

Technical Credits

Shaun Ryder   Composer
Paul Davis   Composer
Paul Ryder   Composer
Andy Bradfield   Mixing Assistant
Andy Baker   Assistant Engineer
Richey James   Composer
Ian Caple   Producer
Sean Moore   Composer,Programming,Drum Programming
Nick Ingman   Arranger,String Arrangements
James Dean Bradfield   Composer
Joe Strummer   Composer
Gary Whelan   Composer
Ashley Beedle   Mixing
Dave Bascombe   Mixing
Dave Eringa   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Gary Baker   Composer
Charlie Smith   Remixing
Mark Day   Composer
Nicky Wire   Composer,Lyricist
Giles Cowley   Mixing Assistant
John Davis   Remixing
Mick Jones   Composer
Lee Phillips   Assistant Engineer
Malcolm Eden   Composer
Alex Silva   Producer
Richey Edwards   Composer,Lyricist
John Williamson   Composer
Timothy Gane   Composer