
MANIC STREET PREACHERS
Critical Thinking (Columbia)
“What happened to your critical thinking?” asks Nicky Wire accusatorily on the opening track of the Manics’ 15th album. A bold challenge, to be sure, but an unwise one to issue to a reviewer tasked with appraising this record.
The title track itself is a false start – less the pithy, post-punk trashing of modern buzzwords and wellness slogans that Wire thinks it is, and more a grumpy old man shouting at clouds (well, body positivity and smart motorways) over an arthritic Franz Ferdinand stomp. Its fellow bookend One Man Militia, a similarly impotent expression of self-disgust, also belongs on a different record. In between sits far too much mid-paced, instantly forgettable filler and Dear Stephen, an olive branch extended to Morrissey that’s as painful as you’re imagining.
Yes, there are a couple of super soaraway anthems among the Teflon tracks – most notably the elegant Decline And Fall, the latest lovechild from their affair with Abba – but ultimately it’s doubtful that any of these songs are strong enough to stake a long-term place in setlists beyond the album promotion tour.
words BEN WOOLHEAD