The Great Western
The Great Western | ||
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Studio album by James Dean Bradfield | ||
Released | 24 July 2006 | |
Recorded | 2005 | |
Genre | Alternative rock, pop rock | |
Length | 37:19 | |
Label | Columbia | |
Producer | Dave Eringa, Guy Massey, Alex Silva, Greg Haver | |
Singles from The Great Western | ||
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The Great Western is the only studio album by Manic Street Preachers vocalist-guitarist James Dean Bradfield. It was released on 24 July 2006 by record label Columbia.
Content
The majority of the lyrics are written by Bradfield, who had previously only contributed lyrics to the Manic Street Preachers songs "Ocean Spray" and "Firefight". Manics bassist-lyricist Nicky Wire contributes lyrics to the song "Bad Boys and Painkillers", and two songs feature lyrics co-written with writer John Niven.[1] Also included is a cover of Jacques Brel's "To See a Friend in Tears". The album features drummer Dafydd Ieuan of fellow Welsh band Super Furry Animals on "Run Romeo Run".
The title apparently refers to the Great Western Railway, which appears to be reflected in the album's artwork. Bradfield refers to his journeys between his home in South Wales to London on the GWR in the song "Émigré". An alternative explanation may be that the name relates to the Great Western Hotel in Cardiff which was part of the South Wales band circuit in the 1980s.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by James Dean Bradfield, except as noted.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length | |
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1. | "That's No Way to Tell a Lie" | 3:05 | |||
2. | "An English Gentleman" | 3:05 | |||
3. | "Bad Boys and Painkillers" | Nicky Wire | 3:49 | ||
4. | "On Saturday Morning We Will Rule the World" | 3:17 | |||
5. | "Run Romeo Run" | 3:24 | |||
6. | "Still a Long Way to Go" | Bradfield, John Niven | 3:50 | ||
7. | "Émigré" | Bradfield, Niven | 3:29 | ||
8. | "To See a Friend in Tears" | Jacques Brel | Brel | 3:38 | |
9. | "Say Hello to the Pope" | 3:24 | |||
10. | "The Wrong Beginning" | 3:15 | |||
11. | "Which Way to Kyffin" | 2:57 |
Release
The album debuted at number 22 on the UK Album Chart.
Reception
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
BBC Music | generally favourable[3] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
musicOMH | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 8/10[7] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uncut | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Great Western was generally well received by critics.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic opined that the album is the sound of "a sensitive, vulnerable Bradfield, something that hasn't been captured on Manics albums even when they strayed toward colorless mature-pop." The website further described: "Sonically, this album isn't far removed from This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours—it's anthemic yet soft, dramatic yet hushed—but unlike on the Manics albums since, it doesn't sound labored."[2] Q magazine echoed similar sentiments, opining that the album is "even stronger than either of the last two Manics albums [Know Your Enemy and Lifeblood]".[8]
Personnel
- James Dean Bradfield – lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, bass guitar, drums
- Alex Silva – bass guitar
- Nick Nasmyth – keyboards
- Nick Dewey – drums
- Dafydd Ieuan – drums
- Alistair Hamer (Sweet Billy Pilgrim) – drums
- Greg Haver – drums, keyboards
- Dave Eringa – keyboards
- Padlock McKiernan – tin whistle, kazoo
References
- ↑ Morris, Sophie (17 February 2008). "How We Met: John Niven & James Dean Bradfield – Profiles – People – The Independent". The Independent. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Great Western – James Dean Bradfield | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ↑ White, Chris (18 July 2006). "BBC – Music – Review of James Dean Bradfield – The Great Western". BBC Music. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ↑ Boden, Sarah (16 July 2006). "CD: James Dean Bradfield, The Great Western | Music | The Observer". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ↑ Mojo: 86. August 2006. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ Murphy, John (24 July 2006). "James Dean Bradfield – The Great Western | Albums | musicOMH". musicOMH. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ↑ NME: 31. 22 July 2006. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Q: 116. August 2006. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ Uncut: 86. August 2006. Missing or empty
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(help)
External links
- The Great Western at Discogs (list of releases)