Have I spotted a fellow Manics fan!? ;)

Yeah they really do have an incredible background. If you get the chance, try and pick up Simon Price's book, 'Everything'. It documents the band from their inception up until This Is My Truth. Great book on a great band! The Holy Bible is my all-time favorite album as well, so I pose to you what will probably be a difficult question; what are your top 3 tracks from THB?

Yeah, the book definitely provides a fair amount of insight, from the band's inception until to the release of TIMTTMY. Granted, perhaps there is a bit too much insight as there is one chapter that focuses on Nicky's cleaning addiction and his fascination with Dyson vacuums and another chapter that focuses on Sean's peculiar addiction to shopping and keeping up with the most up-to-date technology but even those chapters made me laugh.

As for my top 3 tracks of THB; it's always changing but right now I'd confidently go with the following tracks, I'll even provide you my reasons! :) (in no particular order):

Faster: One of the greatest Manics tracks. A proclamation of self-importance and power from someone whose sense of power is clearly teetering on dangerous. The literary references and allusions to authors are just the topping on the guitar-powered cake.

Yes: Almost a confessional from Richey. (of course, not to the level of 4st 7lb) From the first four words, you know you're going to be in for something special. The chorus elevates the song to absolutely infectious territory.

Die In The Summertime: A stark admission of one's own depression and suicidal thoughts that is supplemented by one of the most addicting (and surprisingly simple) guitar riffs in the Manics' repertoire. My college roommate and I used to drive around and sing this song as loud as we could with the windows down; suffice it to say, people thought us crazy!

In around 3 months, THB will be 20 years old. I truly hope the Manics reissue it on vinyl. I'd sure love to own a copy and frame it! :)

Hope you like the recs I sent!

Yeah, THB deserved a proper release - not just a picture disc. It would be brilliant if they included an extra booklet with the vinyl that contained a retrospective on the album from the band members themselves. I'm sure they have a lot to say about this record that they didn't back then. Plus, they could list all the books, bands, movies etc that inspired them to make it. I know they were listening to plenty of Gang of Four and Public Image Ltd. during the recording and Richey read plenty of Albert Camus, Octave Mirbeau, and Michael Focault, but a comprehensive list of everything would be splendid! :)

Janet, have you heard the new Manics album yet?

I thought it was great! It's possibly as good as JFPL but has more of a subdued and electronic vibe ala Lifeblood. I wrote a review on it and gave it a 4/5 but it may even grow on me more - it's simply astounding that the Manics can release an album of this caliber so late in their career!