The year ends, and while you might think bands such as Manic Street Preachers (and others with over 35 years of a career under their belts) are little more than superannuated rock stars for mums and dads of a certain age, it is, perhaps, more truthful to look at how they have managed to scrape through the decades with some level of integrity intact.
Yes, dislikers are going to dislike, but judicious fans (guilty, m’lud) will know that with this year’s The Ultra Vivid Lament, Manic Street Preachers delivered their best work in years.
This streaming-only album (the first in a series of band-curated playlists specifically for Spotify) takes a sensible sidestep by featuring over 15 tracks on which they are assisted by a broad range of invited singers. The blend of the Manics’ complementary bruising and considered melody lines are rarely tarnished by the guests (Let Robeson Sing, featuring fellow Welshman Gruff Rhys, is an exception), which makes this collection something to savour.
Highlights include Your Love Alone is Not Enough (with Nina Persson), The Secret He Had Missed (with Julia Cumming), Little Baby Nothing (with Traci Lords) and the exceptional Rewind the Film (with Richard Hawley). Of course, sceptics will remain icy and indifferent but as a Christmas present to die-hard fans, The Duets is a big box of goodies.
