Great Western [Import]

James Dean Bradfield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Columbia Europe
• ASIN: B000G2Y69S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,858 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Debut solo album from the Manic Street Preachers frontman sees him emerge with a re-invigorated writing confidence, whilst capturing the breath of life so readily attached to the Manics finest moments, each song is characterised by choruses with G Forces, lyrics of genuine poignancy & classic playing; including the single 'That's No Way To Tell A Lie' plus the Nicky Wire co-written 'Bad Boys And Painkillers' & a cover version of the Jacques Brel hit 'To See A Friend In Tears'. Sony. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's great - buy!!!, August 24, 2006

By 

David Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Western (Audio CD)

like a fine wine, james dean bradfield just gets better with age. long surpassing the hard-edged rock songs of the richey edwards days of manic street preachers, he finds his niche in beautiful pop-rock songs on this album and "this is my truth tell me yours."

on "the great western," he steps furthest from the rock formula with male pop background singers, xylophones and upbeat tracks. he makes it work very well from start to finish.

the energy is kept high for the first 5 awesome tracks, before the touching mellowness of "there's a long way to go." if you like the more emotional tracks or the vibe of u2 songs like "one," you'll dig this one. "emigre" steps up with a more modern vibe for the verses, and a chorus featuring pop background singers singing "ooh la la la," which should be a disaster yet isn't at all, clicking drums and an e-bowed guitar reminiscent of the songs on "adore" by the smashing pumpkins. "to see a friend in tears" is the softest track, featuring soft vocals and gentle guitar.

then right after that, "say hello to the pope" features country-ish sliding guitar backed by an acoustic track and organ-y keyboards. again, you would expect a disaster from this stuff, but it's PERFECT. "which way to kyffin" is the least catchy, but it's a mere 3 minutes long. JDB FAR outdoes "lifeblood" and "know your enemy" with "the great western," a catchy, fun, touching, compact album you can sing along to. i don't know who his band was for this record, but stepping outside of the rock formula into a more vintage pop sound has done wonders!

also, i've never heard a less political tone from his songs, which is a very good thing.. i don't mind his political songs, but they are songs written at a distance. it seems the songs of "the great western" songs are much more personal. give it a listen.. if you're willing to listen with an open mind, not expecting songs like "the holy bible" or blazing guitar solos, you won't be disappointed!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you James! I feel the emotive electric., January 9, 2007

By 

Lutfi Melih Kutluoba - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Western (Audio CD)

When i first heard the middle eight beats that belongs to 'Great western', i wanted to go outside to find someone to kiss. A stranger with bad weather overtones or a bird with a huge sky lip. The feeling was homage to self referential life which beyond the borders and small ideas. Weird thing is; concept of this album based on traditional images of James Dean Bradfield's life-On saturday morning we will (were actualy) rule the world-kind of feeling clunking to the room. But this feeling can create such gems as; //fatalistic weeping "Which Way To Kyffin" or spectral sunshine of "Say Hello To The Pope" easily. It roots lie in salt rock'n roll and innocence of soul. Echoing, scrawling vocal range with plenty of messed up ghosts (Probably tribute the missed direction of the last Manic' album "Lifeblood" ) and broken promises of the 90's. Very special, quite magical within...