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EVERYTHING MUST GO HOME
1995
was a dreadful year for the Manic Street Preachers. Their close friend, band
icon and lyricist Richey Edwards had disappeared. For about six
moths the band was put on hold in an attempt to find Richey. Life was hell, not
just for the band, for Richey's parents and sister, Rachel. But after a
painful few moths a decision had to be made on the bands future. When
there was no solution to their problem the remaining members decided to continue
Manic Street Preachers, but the decision to continue as a three piece was only
made after consulting Richey's parents and their manager, Martin Hall.
They knew musically they could survive without Richey but they knew there would
be a huge void in themselves. December 1995 saw a return of the Manics
when they supported the Stone Roses at Wembley arena. It was strange but
it was a huge stepping stone in the continuing of the band.
By January of 1996, they were working on studio album number four. They
had started back in early 1995 with rough demos of songs. They continued
with the album until early 1996.
On
the 15th April the Manic Street Preachers released the highly emotional single,
'A Design For
Life'. It crashed landed straight into the charts at Number 2, the highest
chart position the band had achieved to that date. It was a crucial time for the
band. The single was highly successful and the album was being tipped for big
things too.
The
album Everything Must Go was released on 20th May 1996. It debuted at
number two the album charts and was welcomed with critical acclaim. It is
not as dark as the 'Holy Bible' showing they have come through the turmoil of
the year before. The title of the album seems very fitting, the band have
to escape the past to move forward and things have to change, but they wont
forget Richey. There are songs on there with lyrics by Richey such as 'KEVIN
CARTER', 'SMALL BLACK FLOWERS THAT GROW IN THE SKY' and 'REMOVABLES'
The album went double platinum and went on to spawn three further classic top
ten hits: 'Everything
Must Go', 'Kevin
Carter 'and 'Australia'.
The
band went tour and it was a huge success, playing some of the best venues in the
world and selling them out too. The album was voted years best in many
magazines and music papers. In February 1997, Manic Street Preachers were
voted best band, and Everything Must Go, best album, at the 1997 Brit awards.
They had finally became household names and were having the success they wanted
from the very start. But it had a bitter sweet taste though, the success
they were having was great, but Richey wasn't around to enjoy too.
01 ELVIS IMPERSONATOR: BLACKPOOL PIER
02 A DESIGN FOR LIFE
03 KEVIN CARTER
04 ENOLA/ALONE
05 EVERYTHING MUST GO
06 SMALL BLACK FLOWERS THAT GROW IN THE SKY
07 THE GIRL WHO WANTED TO BE GOD
08 REMOVABLES
09 AUSTRALIA
10 INTERIORS (SONG FOR WILLEM DE KOONING)
11 FURTHER AWAY
12 NO SURFACE ALL FEELING
