Unfortunately I can’t get past the opening line from Sound Of Guns new release. “The more you see the less you feel” sounds strikingly similar to “The more I see the less I scream” which begins Manic Street Preachers’ Journal For Plague Lovers album. I’m not implying there’s an element of plagiarism here; it’s just that Journal… contains the last lyrics written by Richey Edwards before his disappearance.
After the nihilistic rage of The Holy Bible, Journal… finds Edwards at ease with his conclusions on life. If not quite at peace, there’s a noble acceptance towards his losing battle against depression. Following a breathing space of nearly fifteen years the Manics set Edwards’ final type-written words to music in 2009. The ferocious intellect of the lyrics was captured perfectly between moments of vicious abandonment and poignant delicacy. The whole thing dripped with pure emotion.
Emotion is exactly what is missing from Elementary Of Youth. It’s a huge sounding record that ticks all the boxes it sets out to without creating anything unique. The ‘call to arms’ chorus positively explodes with backing vocals and thunderous snare shots and the walls of guitar are undeniably massive: I just don’t believe it. I freely admit this has a lot to do with unfair connection I instinctively made on first listen, but any true sentiment has been blotted out by the song’s considered nature. The craftsmanship of every aspect is pretty perfect, however as a listener, I can’t find the initial spark of inspiration to identify with. The hollow bullishness of the whole thing ends up infuriating.
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Sound of Guns on Myspace
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