There is a theory of everything
Based on recent studies, I’ve gone well past the “musical paralysis” threshold, i.e. my grand old age — 37 — gives me an excuse not to know all the songs that come out on the radio — or like them. That being said, a couple of days ago, I stumbled upon a new tune I thoroughly enjoyed. The chorus started by this line: “There is not theory of everything”. Not your garden variety street talkin’ Trump-level vocabulary, I’ll tell you that much.
I immediately Shazamed the track: turns out it was the latest single from the latest album… by Manic street preachers, a highly politicized and rather influential 90’s British band — at the very least on my musical psyche and before there was any sign of musical paralysis on the horizon. Which probably explains why I was able to instantaneously like the song: it was created by guys who are older than me, whose stuff I know and like for 20+ years. Not exactly your pioneering A&R story, but hey: we do what we can.
“People Give In”, Manic Street Preachers’ new ode.
At any rate, the song, aptly titled “People give in”, taken from 2018’s even more aptly titled Resistance is futile, is somewhat of a return to form for the rock outfit that gave us the anthemic “A design for life”, “If you tolerate this your children will be next” and quite a few more. Like their contemporaries from Stereophonics, they have managed to maintain and rejuvenate their rather distinctive style, the main difference being theirs is significantly more biting. In an obviously charged political climate, they succeeded in keeping relevant, which is no small feat in the Trump era. And that goes far beyond vocabulary.
One notable difference between then-Manic and new-Manic sound is a subtle evolution from the stark defiance of the 90’s to a more accepting — although not condoning — tone today. Indeed, their preaching appears to have slowly morphed into thoughtful advice rather than the bitter warnings of the past. James Dean Bradfield and his bunch are ageing gracefully, and it’s good to hear.
Want to know more? Here you go!