The Manic Street Preachers are the best band ever to have come from Wales. I'm a huge fan - got all the albums.
If there are any Americans or anyone else for that matter who are not aware of this band (they have never had any success in the US) then buy their 3 masterworks now:
Generation Terrorists
Mega 18-song debut of seething, trashy punk rock 'n' roll. The best post-punk album ever!!! I guarantee you will love Motorcycle Emptiness
The Holy Bible
If you like In Utero by Nirvana you will absolutely love this. Except be warned - this is even more disturbing. This was the album released just before Richey James disappeared and his shocking lyrical expressions of despair drive the album's fast, heavy punk metal sound. It is the sound of a band plunging into chaos. It is undoubtedly the most disturbing and depressing album ever made. The themes range from general despair to the holocaust, prostitution, serial killers, anorexia and imminent death. The best song is Die in the Summertime.
Everything Must Go
Reduced to 3 members with Richey still unsolved disappearance, the Manics decided to make a more reflective and gentle indie-rock driven album and it worked. This is one of the best albums of its genre. Mike Hedges production is fantastic and the three members musicianship is also great. John Lennon would be proud of many of these songs.
