I remember moving to London during the peak of the Brit Pop years in the midst of the Blur versus Oasis hyperbole. But the albums from that era that really struck me were Pulp’s “Different Class”, The Verve’s “Urban Hymns” and most of all, “This is My Truth Tell Me Yours” from The Manic Street Preachers. Bands that preceded the Brit Pop era but somehow got caught up in the maelstrom.
The Manics’ album was and remains visceral, passionate, political and tinged with the mystery and sadness of the band’s past, combining lyrics that were often designed to deliver a message rather than flow. The single “if You Tolerate This, Your Children Will Be Next” is for me one of the most potent protest songs ever, inspired by the Spanish Civil War but echoing the words of the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller speaking of the silence that allowed the Nazis to flourish in Germany:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The band is now releasing a special commemorative version of the album on 7 December 2018 to mark the twenty years since its release. Twenty years…that’s disturbing. But the album sounds as angry, fresh and as relevant as ever.
Released as a deluxe 3 cd box set, double vinyl edition and digital package the album contains unheard demos and live rehearsal recordings as well as remixes by the likes of Massive Attack, David Holmes and Mogwai. The artwork features many unseen photographs by long term collaborator Mitch Ikeda including a different album cover from the original session on Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog in Wales. The band will also be going out on tour next year playing some of their favourite intimate venues over the UK performing the album in full alongside other hits and rarities. They hope to announce a special one-off gig in Wales in the next few months and support on all dates comes from Gwenno.
‘This Is My Truth ….” went to No.1 in the charts on its release and stayed in the UK charts for over a year and went on to sell over five million copies. It won the Brit Award for Best Album (and the band for best group), and all the big prizes at the NME Awards – Best Band, Best Album, Best Live Act, Best Single and Best Video and the group were awarded the Best Band in the World Award by Q Magazine. The album was preceded by the group’s first No. 1 single, ‘If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next’ – the first, and only No. 1 inspired by the Spanish Civil War, and three more singles were released ‘You Stole The Sun From My Heart’, ‘Tsunami, and ‘The Everlasting’. Nicky Wire said recently “I’ve just been listening to ‘This Is My Truth’ a lot. It’s such a deep and heavy album for a record that was so big. It just makes you realise that you can push the limits and have success.”
This is a vital addition to any collection from an iconic and perpetually important band. Available from all sources on Friday, 7 December 2018.
UK Tour
12 May DUBLIN, Olympia Theatre
14 May CAMBRIDGE, Corn Exchange
15 May BATH, Forum
17/18 May LONDON, Shepherds Bush Empire
20/21 May MANCHESTER, Ritz
23 May BIRMINGHAM, Academy 1
24 May SOUTHAMPTON, Guildhall
26 May EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
27 May YORK, Barbican
30 May LIVERPOOL, Olympia
31 May LEICESTER, De Montford Hall
With very special guest Gwenno.
Limited Edition Deluxe 3CD book set / digital
CD 1 – Remastered original album
1 The Everlasting
2 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
3 You Stole the Sun from My Heart
4 Ready for Drowning
5 Tsunami
6 My Little Empire
7 I’m Not Working
8 You’re Tender and You’re Tired
9 Born a Girl
10 Be Natural
11 Black Dog On My Shoulder
12 Prologue To History
13 S.Y.M.M.
CD 2 – Demos & Live Rehearsals
1 The Everlasting
2 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (Dave Bascombe Mix)
3 You Stole the Sun from My Heart
4 Ready for Drowning
5 Tsunami
6 My Little Empire
7 I’m Not Working
8 You’re Tender and You’re Tired
9 Born A Girl
10 Be Natural
11 Black Dog On My Shoulder
12 Prologue To History
13 S.Y.M.M.
14 Nobody Loved You
CD3 – Remixes & B Sides
1 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (Massive Attack Remix)
2 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (David Holmes Remix)
3 The Everlasting (Deadly Avenger’s Psalm 315)
4 The Everlasting (Stealth Sonic Orchestra Remix)
5 You Stole the Sun from My Heart (David Holmes Remix)
6 You Stole the Sun from My Heart (Mogwai Remix)
7 Tsunami (Cornelius Remix)
8 Tsunami (Stereolab Remix)
9 Montana/ Autumn/78
10 Black Holes For The Young
11 Valley Boy
12 Socialist Serenade
13 Buildings For Dead People
Double 180gm vinyl in gatefold sleeve
*Includes limited edition poster on first pressing*
SIDE A
1 The Everlasting
2 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
3 You Stole the Sun from My Heart
SIDE B
4 Ready for Drowning
5 Tsunami
6 My Little Empire
SIDE C
7 I’m Not Working
8 You’re Tender and You’re Tired
9 Born a Girl
10 Be Natural
SIDE D
11 Black Dog On My Shoulder
12 Prologue To History
13 S.Y.M.M. (Remastered)
