Unlike some of their 90s peers, Welsh legends Manic Street Preachers have continuously been putting out music this century. Their latest, Critical Thinking, sees the band to continue working with longtime co-producer David Eringa. Bassist Nicky Wire takes over the lead vocals on three tracks including the single, “Hiding In Plain Sight” that adds female vocals on the chorus, with Wire singing “I wanna be in love/With the man I used to be/In a decade I felt free”. He also handles the vocals on the opening title track with talk/sing style that matches the driving bass and drums combo.
Singer/guitarist James Dean Bradfield contributes lyrics to three songs including the chiming guitars on “Brushstrokes Of A Reunion” about his deceased Mother. The band is at it’s peak when it settles into the usual force of the band’s music with Wire’s lyrics and Bradfield singing. This includes the letter to Morrissey on “Dear Stephen” with a plea not to destroy his legacy with his political leanings with a reminder that “it’s so easy to hate/It takes guts to be kind/To paraphrase one of your heartbreak lines”.
“People Ruin Paintings” namechecks several greats including Rothko and Pollock on a song that is not about protestors destroying works of art though it is hard not to get that imagery out of your head while listening to the track. “Decline and Fall” is the highlight of the album. The band Squeeze get a co-writing credit due to partial use of their song “Cool For Cats”. It’s tuneful driving song, tailor made for BBC radio adult alternative stations about the tiny joys that can still be found even as the world declines. On their 15th album, Manic Street Preachers continue to put out thought provoking songs that are thrilling to hear.
8/10
The Light Appears 