Manic Street Preachers Know Your Enemy CD - Import

1999 release features two bonus tracks "Masses Against the Classes" and "So Why So Sad."

One of the continuing mysteries of rock & roll is how the Manic Street Preachers can continue to be hailed as demi-gods in their native UK but get relegated to permanent cult status in America. While that situation is unlikely to change, KNOW YOUR ENEMY is probably as close as the band has come to album with potential US appeal. It's not that the band's revolutionary ideology has softened, but they've varied their sonic palette a bit.

The keyboards and harmonies adorning the melodic pop of "So Why So Sad" suggest that the Preachers have been listening to the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B." The aptly titled "Miss Europa Disco Dancer" could be a long-lost China Crisis, with its ironic Brit-funk feel. A mix of acoustic guitars and subtle keyboards offset the raw guitar attack on many cuts, though "My Guernica" is a bold, blazing return to form, full of charging, trashy drums and driving guitars. On "Let Robeson Sing," a heartfelt tribute to legendary American vocalist/activist Paul Robeson, singer James Dean Bradfield asks "Can anyone write a protest song?" For the Manic Street Preachers, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Britain's best band returns after the triumph of their '...Truth' LP which made them the rock darlings of the UK. The band go against the grain with the release of 2 singles at once with 'So Why So Sad' & ' Found That Soul'. Also features the track 'Baby Elian', written about the recent incidents involving a young Cuban rafter rescued by fisherman on Thanksgiving Day, 1999.

Engineers include: Jagz Kooner, Lee Butler, Guy Massey.

Manic Street Preachers: Nicky Wire (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass); James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Sean Moore (trumpet, drums, programming); Nick Naysmith (keyboards, background vocals); Jagz Kooner (programming).

Producers: Dave Eringa, Greg Haver, Mike Hedges.



This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Q (4/01, pp.102-3) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...There are moments that take your breath away....when they push their boat out, it rarely sinks..."
Alternative Press (7/01, p.74) - 6 out of 10 - "...Anthemic guitar rock made for football stadium sing-alongs..."
CMJ (4/16/01, p.4) - "...Astoundingly good....marked by a sweeping Britpop swagger and simple, sharply crafted hooks alternating with sweeping, cathartic choruses..."
Mojo (Publisher) (4/01, p.98) - "...There are great songs here..."
NME (Magazine) (3/17/01, p.31) - 7 out of 10 - "...Distinctly counter-revolutionary....The severe socialistic rhetoric doesn't stop them decadently changing styles like Shirley Bassey changes costume: feathery Beach Boys shimmer; Velvet Underground black..."