Manic Street Preachers

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Wales's most successful pop export since Tom Jones started draping panties over his microphone stand, Manic Street Preachers have achieved extraordinary commercial and critical success without sacrificing one iota of their grandiose musical ideals. Stylistic changes are another matter entirely, though, and the well-chronicled disappearance of guitarist/lyricist and figurehead Richey Edwards in 1995 was clearly a pivotal moment. Where once there were slick, pounding drums, synth flourishes and metal/punk guitars (Motorcycle Emptiness, Faster), post-Richey release Everything Must Go majored on organic drum textures, epic strings and chiming riffs (A Design For Life, Australia). Since then the band have visibly struggled to appease the old brigade while forging ahead. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours lurched too far into commercial waters for many, while 2001's Know Your Enemy was dismissed for trying too hard to revive the reactionary, sloganeering racket of old. Lifeblood (2004) suggested remaining members James Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore had at least opted to please themselves rather than appease the fans. Meanwhile, 2009's Journal For Plague Lovers used lyrics left behind by Richey Edwards and was well received by critics and fans alike.