Released 5/18/09
Editorial ReviewJournal for Plague Lovers is the ninth studio album by the alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. It will be released on 18 May 2009 and feature lyrics left behind by Richey Edwards, who mysteriously vanished on 1st February 1995. The album cover is an original painting by Jenny Saville. The Manics posted the following message on their official website: "All 13 songs on the new record feature lyrics left to us by Richey. The brilliance and intelligence of the lyrics dictated that we had to finally use them. The use of language is stunning and topics include The Grande Odalisque by Ingres, Marlon Brando, Giant Haystacks, celebrity, consumerism and dysmorphia, all reiterating the genius and intellect of Richard James Edwards." The album will be available on CD, deluxe 2CD, download and LP. The deluxe edition includes a second disc with demo versions of all thirteen album songs. Opening track "Peeled Apples" was played for the first time on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on 25 March 2009. During an interview with Lowe, bassist Nicky Wire said there would be no singles released off the album
TracklistingCD 1------ Peeled Apples Jackie Collins Existential Question Time Me And Stephen Hawking This Joke Sport Severed Journal For Plague Lovers She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach Facing Page: Top Left Marlon J.D. Doors Closing Slowly All Is Vanity Pretension/Repulsion Virginia State Epileptic Colony William's Last Words
CD 2------------- Peeled Apples Jackie Collins Existential Question Time Me And Stephen Hawking This Joke Sport Severed Journal For Plague Lovers She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach Facing Page: Top Left Marlon J.D. Doors Closing Slowly All Is Vanity Pretension/Repulsion Virginia State Epileptic Colony William's Last Words