The heralding of the Manics’ latest work, Futurology began almost a year ago with a slew dizzying announcements: ‘Sessions at Berlin’s world famous Hansa Studios’, ‘a variety of guest vocalists’ and ‘the return of (The Holy Bible album) producer Alex Silva’. Now that the resulting album is in, it’s safe to say all expectations have been shattered. Fact is, it’s far and away greater than the sum of a few sure-fire, attention-grabbing parts.
Written during the same sessions that produced last year’s retiring, Scott Walker-ish Rewind the Film, Futurology – instead of sounding like ‘left-overs’ – is the band’s most monstrous and urgent sounding record in years. Rewind’s slow amble through recent Welsh history is already a faded memory as the band has moved into a completely new, Euro-centric phase with a distinctly re-modelled sound. Musically, the album harks back to a time when Kraftwerk and The Human League were considered the sound of the future. Rest assured, though, this is no puffed-up ‘ironic ‘80s’ album from a bunch of aging socialist rockers.
Pre-release teaser, Europa Geht Durch Mich’s delivery is icy and direct, aided by German film star Nina Hoss who swaps choruses and verses with James Dean Bradfield. The result is a militant bilingual exchange over a relentless marching beat that makes Rammstein sound whimsical by comparison. Let’s Go to War, with its blend of Eno-esque cavernous/claustrophobic synths, is the sound of reawakened synopsis. The darkness of The Holy Bible is present here, but the mood is contrarily optimistic. Naturally, because it’s a Manics album, these tracks – along with Sex Power and Money and Walk Me to the Bridge – are dressed up as certified stadium rock anthems; the latter of which is pomp at its best. Imagine Livin’ On A Prayer shagging She Sells Sanctuary and you’re loving it.
Much of Futurology was conceived as far back as 2007 on a European tour during which time bassist/writer Nicky Wire was on the verge of leaving the band. Over time these songs were developed into ‘13 good reasons to not give up’. The Manics’ endured tragedies and errors of judgement of old are put to bed once and for all. Futurology is one last look back on a forward march in to their real future, which is at long last looking and sounding brighter than ever.
BY LEIGH SALTER
Best Track: Divine Youth
If You Like These, You’ll Love This: GANG OF FOUR, KRAFTWERK, THE ASSOCIATES
In A Word: Achtung!
