Lifeblood 20 Manic Street Preachers

• 11985 (Remastered)04:07
• 2The Love of Richard Nixon (Remastered)03:38
• 3Empty Souls (Remastered)04:04
• 4A Song for Departure (Remastered)04:18
• 5I Live to Fall Asleep (Remastered)03:55
• 6To Repel Ghosts (Remastered)03:57
• 7Emily (Remastered)03:33
• 8Glasnost (Remastered)03:12
• 9Always / Never (Remastered)03:40
• 10Solitude Sometimes Is (Remastered)03:20
• 11Fragments (Remastered)04:01
• 12Cardiff Afterlife (Remastered)03:27
• 13Askew Road (B-Side)02:58
• 14Everything Will Be (B-Side)05:10
• 15Everyone Knows / Nobody Cares (B-Side)04:13
• 16Voodoo Polaroids (B-Side)03:56
• 17Quarantine (In My Place Of) (B-Side)03:49
• 18All Alone Here (B-Side)03:20
• 19Dying Breeds (B-Side)04:06
• 20Litany (B-Side)03:33
• 21Failure Bound (B-Side)02:58
• 22No Jubilees (B-Side)03:47
• 23Antarctic (B-Side)03:06
• 24The Soulmates (Remastered)03:45
• 251985 (Steve Wilson's Mix)08:27
• 261985 (Gwenno Mix)04:33
• 271985 (Alternate Version)03:22
• 281985 (Demo)03:50
• 29The Love of Richard Nixon (Drum Machine Demo)03:55
• 30The Love of Richard Nixon (Live Rehearsal Demo)03:58
• 31A Song for Departure (Demo)04:17
• 32I Live to Fall Asleep (Cassette)03:04
• 33To Repel Ghosts (Demo)03:38
• 34Emily (Demo)03:34
• 35Solitude Sometimes Is (Demo)03:07
• 36Fragments (Demo)04:32
• 37Cardiff Afterlife (Cassette)04:03
• 38Cardiff Afterlife (Demo)03:54
• 39Solitude Sometimes Is (Tony Visconti Mix)03:30
• 40Emily (Tony Visconti Mix)03:39
• 41Cardiff Afterlife (Tony Visconti Mix)03:45
• 42Empty Souls (Live at BBC Maida Vale)04:15
• 43The Love of Richard Nixon (Live at BBC Maida Vale)03:47
• 44I Live to Fall Asleep (Live at BBC Maida Vale)04:08
• 45A Song for Departure (Live at BBC Maida Vale)04:20
• 46Fragments (Live at BBC Maida Vale)04:15
• Total Runtime02:59:46

Info for Lifeblood 20

Manic Street Preachers have confirmed the release of a 20 th Anniversary Edition of their seventh studio album ‘Lifeblood’ on 12 th April 2024 for Sony Records. As with other Manics re-issues, the new releases feature many remastered tracks, b-sides, demos and outtakes, new liner notes by John Harris and unseen pictures by Mitch Ikeda.

Described by Nicky Wire as “our most estranged album of all” the record came at a time when the band were reflecting on what they had become and what they could be. The band looked to the music they had liked when they were young for inspiration, New Order circa ‘Low Life’, Prefab Sprout ‘Steve McQueen’, Thomas Dolby ‘The Flat Earth’, early Simple Minds, and the kind of cerebral electronic pop that dominated the early to-mid 1980s. Wire said at the time "The main lyrical themes are death and solitude and ghosts. Being haunted by history and being haunted by your own past.” James Dean Bradfield commented “I loved making Lifeblood, because it was interesting. I loved chasing these other versions of what we were trying to do.”

They started work in Cardiff before heading to New York to work with legendary producer Tony Visconti. Next stop was Ireland with Greg Haver, the producer who had worked on their previous two albums. Finishing touches were brought by Tom Elmhirst (Bowie/ Goldfrapp/Adele), the mix engineer who gave the songs a lustrous sheen and sparkle, which combined their backwards glances with a hint of futurism. Mojo Magazine described it at the time as “An album that nails its subtle-but-tenacious hooks with dignity and maturity”.

First single ‘The Love of Richard Nixon’ entered the UK charts at No. 2 but the band were unsure about it being the first music from the album. Nicky Wire explained “It sounds like nothing we’ve ever done. It doesn’t sound like us at all.” The next single ‘Empty Souls’ also debuted at No. 2 and the group finished the year with an arena tour.

Manic Street Preachers

Digitally remastered

Manic Street Preachers
Band members meet in 1986 in Balckwood, South Wales. James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitar, piano and keyboard) starts writing lyrics – later to be replaced with Nicky Wire (bass guitar, piano, and vocals). Sean Moore (drums, percussions, trumpet and vocals) joins the band and writes the music. They start off as a punk band. But when their style starts changing in 1988, bass guitarist Miles Woodward decides to leave the band. It is also the year they release their first single “Suicide Alley”. Following this release, Richey Edwards (guitar, vocals) joins the band. After signing a contract with Damaged Goods Records in 1990, they also release their first EP called “New Art Riot”. The contract only being for one release, they later sign a contract with the indie label Heavenly Records. They consequently release the single “Motown Junk” and begin working on an album.

Their debut album “Generation Terrorists” (1993) is a great success. It will be closely followed by their second album “Gold Against the Soul” – more grunge, but also more commercial, reaching the top of the UK charts. This opus is described as more personal and less political than their previous work.

In 1994, Edward’s personal issues lead him to a mental hospital. The band keeps performing live to pay for his recovery treatments. It is also the year they release “The Holy Bible”, their third studio album. The promotion for this album is quite controversial. They often appear live dressed up as terrorists/army men. Adding to the controversy, Edwards goes missing and is presumed dead after his car is found empty three days later. For six months, the band stops all activities but eventually decide to keep working.

Their next album “Everything Must Go” (1996) includes five tracks written by Edwards – as a tribute after his passing – and is critically acclaimed. The opus wins two Brit Awards. Two years later, they release “This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours” (1998) which is an international success which get them two more Brit Awards in 1999. In 2000, their limited edition single “The Masses Against the Classes” reaches the top of the UK charts with almost no promotion.

In 2001, Manic Street Preachers make another political statement playing live in Cuba for President Fidel Castro. This trip will make a documentary film called “Louder Than War”. The next year, they release their first best-of album, “Forever Delayed” with two exclusive tracks.

Their next really successful album will be “Lifeblood” in 2004. They promote in arenas around the UK following their great popular and critical success. That year, they also release an anniversary version of their album “The Holy Bible” including rare mixes, exclusive tracks, interviews and live performances.

Their next album “God Save the Manics” is also a limited edition which they give out to fans at their shows. It will later be uploaded on their website. In 2008, they receive the God-Like Geniuses Award at the NME Awards ceremony.

In 2009, their ninth album “Journal for Plague Lovers” includes bits of lyrics from Edwards which had not been used before. The opus is released as a new kind of tribute to their late friend.

Their next album “Postcards from a Young Man” (2010) is way more pop than usual. According to the members themselves, they wanted to write hit singles for this one, and match the “mass communication” trend.

In 2012, Manic Street Preachers embark on a massive European greatest hits tour. In 2013, they continue touring in Australia and New Zealand. In September, the first single for their next album comes out, “Show Me the Wonder”. The album “Rewind the Film” is released later that month and is a great success.

This album contains no booklet.