This is my truth tell me yours by The Manic Street Preachers
The third of what will doubtless be many entries in this blog by The Manic Street Preachers.
Everything must go was always going to be a difficult album to follow, I often wonder what it's like as a band after you produce an album of such quality - to try and follow it up. More often than not, it doesn't seem to pan out. I think you have to look outwards for new inspiration or influence so that what you produce can't really be measured against your previous work.
This is my truth is a far cry from Everything must go, it's still a good album - but the shift in attitude is evident.
I'm not sure if 1998 was a particularly good year - but I don't remember a lot about it. And listening to This is my truth actually makes me quite sad.
I'm not sure if that's because it has some pretty emotional lyrics, or because listening to the album reminds me of a time when I was unhappy.
Let me mention a few songs to try and elaborate.
The opening track is The Everlasting, which starts with a rather sad sounding synth drum beat which continues throughout and finishes the song solo, as it started. The production on the song (and the album) is flawless, JDB's pitch perfect vocals are almost haunting - it reminds me of early mornings, and being alone.
Ready for drowning and My little empire are two other highlights for me - the cello part in the latter being the pinnacle of "playing an instrument sadly". The album features plenty of cleverly places orchestral parts, which I think adds to it's somewhat depressing nature.
The more I think, or talk about This is my truth, the more I like it. It was a significant change in direction for the Manics (something they're going to do at least a few times more before I'm done).
There's still something unsettling about it.
Everlasting
In the beginning when we were winning
When our smiles were genuine
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